Web Performance, SEO
The Principles of Honest Design
I’m not a fan of rules imposed on designers. These often feel like constraints, smothering the very creativity needed to solve a problem. They can stifle the “question everything” ethos that sits at the heart of good work.
But what if we replaced rigid rules with a single, guiding principle? What if that principle was simply honesty?
Honest design isn’t an aesthetic. It’s an ethic. It’s the foundation for creating products, applications, and experiences that respect the user and serve a clear purpose. It’s the shortest path to building trust, and in the digital world, trust is everything.
What is Honest Design?
I’m not a fan of rules imposed on designers. These often feel like constraints, smothering the very creativity needed to solve a problem. They can stifle the “question everything” ethos that sits at the heart of good work.
But what if we replaced rigid rules with a single, guiding principle? What if that principle was simply honesty?
Honest design isn’t an aesthetic. It’s an ethic. It’s the foundation for creating products, applications, and experiences that respect the user and serve a clear purpose. It’s the shortest path to building trust, and in the digital world, trust is everything.
What is Honest Design?
At its core, honest design is about clarity and truth. It does what it says it will do. It doesn't hide costs, trick you into clicking, or overwhelm you with features you don't need. It gets out of your way.
Think of a well-made hammer. It has one job. Its form is a direct reflection of its function. It doesn't pretend to be a screwdriver. It feels balanced in your hand and does its job efficiently. That’s honest.
In the digital world, this honesty manifests as:
Clarity: The user understands what a button does before they click it.
Focus: The interface helps the user complete their primary task without distraction.
Transparency: The business model is clear, and data usage is explained, not buried.
Good design feels good because it’s effortless. And that effortlessness comes from honesty.
The Principles of Honest Design
Honesty isn’t a vague goal; it’s a series of intentional choices. These principles can act as a guide.
Clarity is Kindness. Confusing interfaces are disrespectful. They waste time and create anxiety. Honest design prioritizes clarity above all else. Use plain language, not jargon. Create a visual hierarchy that guides the eye to what matters most. Every element should have a clear purpose. If you can’t explain why something is on the screen, it probably shouldn’t be there.
Practice Fierce Reduction. Feature bloat is a disease. It’s the enemy of focus and a hallmark of dishonest design, suggesting a product can be all things to all people. The team behind Microsoft’s Metro UI had a principle I love: “Fierce Reduction.” They relentlessly removed unnecessary visual elements and features to put the spotlight on the primary task. This made the UI feel smart, open, and fast.
The question isn’t “What else can we add?” The question is “What can we remove without losing value?”Respect Time and Attention. A user’s time and attention are their most valuable resources. Honest design treats them as precious. It loads quickly. It minimizes steps. It remembers choices. It avoids begging for notifications or reviews. An honest product is a quiet servant; it does its job efficiently and then steps back. It doesn't demand to be the center of the user’s world.
Be Transparent by Default. Dishonesty thrives in the shadows—in hidden fees, confusing privacy policies, and pre-checked boxes. These are dark patterns, and they are the antithesis of honest design.
Be upfront. If a service costs money, show the price clearly. If you need a user’s data, explain why in simple terms. Transparency builds long-term trust, whereas tricks and deception only create short-term gains and lasting resentment.
Why It Matters
Honest design isn't just a feel-good philosophy; it’s good for business.
It Builds Loyalty: Users stick with products that treat them with respect.
It Reduces Support Costs: A clear, intuitive interface generates fewer support tickets.
It Drives Conversion: When users trust a product, they are more likely to invest their time and money in it.
Ultimately, honest design helps make the world a slightly better, less frustrating place to be. It strips away the noise and lets us connect with technology in a more human way.
It’s not about following a rulebook. It’s about building a better relationship with the people we design for, one honest decision at a time.
What is one thing in a product you use every day that you wish was more honest?
