nielsen-usability-heuristics

# Nielsen's 10 Usability Heuristics Foundational principles for evaluating and designing usable interfaces. Apply these as a review checklist and as design constraints from the start — not only as a post-hoc audit tool. --- ## 1. Visibility of System Status The design should always keep users informed about what is going on, through appropriate feedback within a reasonable amount of time. Users cannot make good decisions without knowing the current state of the system. Trust is built through clear, timely feedback. **In practice:** - Show loading states, progress indicators, and completion confirmations - Indicate where the user is in a multi-step process - Reflect state changes immediately (optimistic UI or loading spinners) - Never leave a user wondering whether an action was registered **Review question:** After any user action, is the outcome visible within 1 second? --- ## 2. Match Between System and Real World The design should speak the users' language — words, phrases, and concepts familiar to the user, not internal jargon or system terminology. Follow real-world conventions and natural mapping so the interface feels intuitive rather than requiring translation. **In practice:** - Use terminology the target audience uses, not what the engineering team uses - Icons should match real-world objects or widely established web conventions - Spatial metaphors should match real-world expectations (e.g. "trash" for deletion) - Avoid exposing internal system concepts...