7 Bad UI Design Examples You Can Learn From

As a designer, developer, or business owner, it's essential to understand the difference between good and bad design. By recognizing and avoiding bad design choices, you can create a more user-friendly and efficient experience for your users. Here are seven bad UI design examples that you can learn from to improve your own designs:

Example 1: Overlapping Text and Images

The mistake: In this example, text overlaps with an image, making it difficult to read and disrupting the visual flow. Why to avoid such overlaps: Overlaps like this can detract from the user's experience and make it hard to understand the content. Learning and ideal solution: Avoid overlaps by ensuring that text and images have enough space between them or use other design techniques, such as captions or image placeholders, to maintain clarity.

Example 2: Inconsistent Font Sizes

The mistake: Using inconsistent font sizes within the same interface creates confusion and inconsistency. Why to avoid inconsistent font sizes: Inconsistent font sizes can make it challenging for users to navigate and understand the hierarchy of information. Learning and ideal solution: Maintain a consistent font size hierarchy throughout your design, ensuring that headings, subheadings, and body text are appropriately differentiated.

Example 3: Non-clickable Footer

The mistake: BigBasket, an online grocery store, offers a footer design that appears comprehensive but lacks functionality. The footer does not contain clickable links, defeating its purpose. Why does this example stand out? The non-clickable footer fails to provide users with easy access to important links and information. Learning and ideal solution: Ensure that footers contain clickable links to essential pages, such as the About Us, Contact, or FAQ sections. This allows users to navigate the website more efficiently.

Example 4: Poor Color Contrast

The mistake: Using low contrast color combinations, such as light gray text on a white background, makes it difficult to read and strain the user's eyes. Why to avoid poor color contrast: Low color contrast can lead to readability issues, especially for users with visual impairments. Learning and ideal solution: Ensure that text and background colors have sufficient contrast to promote readability. Use tools like color contrast checkers to ensure compliance with accessibility guidelines.

Example 5: Poor Mobile Implementation

The mistake: A poorly implemented mobile design can result in a cluttered interface, small touch targets, and excessive scrolling. Why does this example stand out? Mobile users expect a seamless and optimized experience. Poor mobile implementation can lead to frustration and high bounce rates. Learning and ideal solution: Invest in responsive or adaptive design to ensure that your website or app is optimized for mobile devices. Consider mobile-first design principles and prioritize touch-friendly elements.

Example 6: Overwhelming Monotony

The mistake: Using a monotonous design with little variation in color or typography can make the interface visually overwhelming and boring. Why to avoid overwhelming monotony: A monotonous design fails to engage users and can make the content difficult to differentiate and understand. Learning and ideal solution: Introduce variation in color, typography, and layout to create visual interest and guide users through the interface. Use contrasting colors and visual hierarchy to highlight important information.

Example 7: Disruptive Animations

The mistake: Implementing excessive or distracting animations can slow down the user's experience and hinder navigation. Why to avoid disruptive animations: Animations should enhance the user's experience, not detract from it. Too many or disruptive animations can be frustrating and make it difficult for users to navigate. Learning and ideal solution: Use animations sparingly and purposefully to provide visual feedback or guide the user's attention. Ensure that animations are smooth and not overly distracting.

By recognizing and avoiding these common bad UI design mistakes, you can create a more user-friendly and visually appealing experience. Keep these learnings and ideal solutions in mind when designing your own interfaces to ensure a positive user experience.