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Error Message is the set of cues that tell people what they can do next and why it makes sense. When it's strong, users move fast and feel confident.
Definition
Plain-English definition
Error Message is the set of cues that tell people what they can do next and why it makes sense. When it's strong, users move fast and feel confident.
Why it matters
It shapes trust. When the interface keeps its promises, people keep moving.
Real-world example
A primary button that looks disabled but still works, or a menu icon with no label.
Full explanation
If you've heard designers throw around Error Message, here's the plain-English version. At its core, it's the set of cues that tell someone what they can do next and why that action makes sense. When Error Message is strong, people move fast and feel smart. When it's weak, they hesitate, bounce, or blame themselves. That moment of hesitation is the signal.
A common mistake is over-explaining. If a screen needs a paragraph, the design is doing too much. Another trap is hiding the primary action because it looks cleaner. Clean isn't the same as clear. The goal is clarity that feels natural, not a layout that looks quiet in a screenshot.
If you're unsure, ask a real user to try it cold. Their pause is your answer. The best version feels boring in a good way. Users get what they need and move on. You don't need perfection; you need a path that makes sense the first time through.
If you've heard designers throw around Error Message, here's the plain-English version. At its core, it's the set of cues that tell someone what they can do next and why that action makes sense. When Error Message is strong, people move fast and feel smart. When it's weak, they hesitate, bounce, or blame themselves. That moment of hesitation is the signal.
If you've heard designers throw around Error Message, here's the plain-English version. At its core, it's the set of cues that tell someone what they can do next and why that action makes sense. When Error Message is strong, people move fast and feel smart. When it's weak, they hesitate, bounce, or blame themselves. That moment of hesitation is the signal.
If you've heard designers throw around Error Message, here's the plain-English version. At its core, it's the set of cues that tell someone what they can do next and why that action makes sense. When Error Message is strong, people move fast and feel smart. When it's weak, they hesitate, bounce, or blame themselves. That moment of hesitation is the signal.
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