Not every misfortune is a bolt from the blue - sometimes there are tangible signs that danger is on the rise. When we learn to observe and ask, we open up a world of prevention.
1. Death on the Vine
The wisdom from that inspired this article comes from a track workout I did years ago. I was a few miles into a workout when a summer thunderstorm rolled in - lightning and all. As I sought refuge under a covered bench, a man hurried over to take cover, too. While we hid from the rain, he asked about my workout before sharing his story. He was new to the area and coaching; coming from Philadelphia. In another life he worked with utilities. He mentioned that sitting water made him nervous, because you never know when it might be sitting over a damaged wire. He had seen a man walk into a puddle only to be overtaken by electricity. He went on to share that sometimes, if you are paying attention, you might be able to spot danger. When there is a gas leak, a typical sign might be a dead spot in the greenery.
So it goes, on a run a few weeks ago I spotted a large hydrangea that had a noticeable "dead spot." There were two or three thriving clusters, surrounded by branches of struggling and dead flowers. The sight struck a personal note.
2. Unbalanced Growth
From social media feeds to news apps, vertical scrolling has become second nature for users. Infinite scroll and thumb-friendly layouts keep users engaged longer.
UX Tip: Use sticky headers and navigation for better usability.
Consideration: Be mindful of information fatigue; break content into digestible chunks.
Takeaway: Optimize layouts for smooth vertical scrolling while respecting users’ mental load.
3. App Overload and Uninstalls
With the average smartphone hosting 40+ apps, users are quick to uninstall apps that don’t deliver immediate value.
• Focus on onboarding: Make first-time experiences delightful and clear.
• Deliver value early: Show users how the app solves their problem within the first few seconds.
Takeaway: First impressions matter—design for retention from the start.
4. Preference for Personalization
Users expect apps to adapt to their preferences and provide tailored experiences.
• Examples: Personalized recommendations, curated feeds, and smart suggestions.
• Ethical design: Use personalization responsibly, being transparent about data usage.
Takeaway: Design for personalization without compromising user trust.
5. Multi-Device Continuity
Smartphones are part of a larger ecosystem of devices, with users expecting seamless transitions between phones, tablets, and laptops.
• UX Tip: Enable features like cloud sync and account continuity to provide consistent experiences.
• Case in Point: Apps like Spotify and Google Docs excel by ensuring users can pick up right where they left off.
Takeaway: Design for cross-device usability to meet users where they are.
Conclusion
Understanding these smartphone habits can help UX designers create more relevant, user-friendly experiences. By focusing on quick interactions, scrollable layouts, retention strategies, personalization, and multi-device compatibility, you can design solutions that align with how users behave in 2024.