Design teams we learn from
Define is one of those topics beginners skip because it feels "obvious." It is not.
Overview
Define is one of those topics beginners skip because it feels "obvious." It is not. This page fixes that.
Feeling overwhelmed?
Start with the mega-guide. It gives you the 80% of UX you’ll use 80% of the time.
Read it here: User Experience Basics →How it works
## Define: The real version
Look for moments where users pause. Those pauses tell you where the design is confusing. If users stop and scan, your hierarchy is off. If they scroll up and down, your structure is unclear. Fix the path before polishing the layout. Keep the primary action obvious. If everything is loud, nothing is. Use size, spacing, and placement to make the next step feel inevitable. This is especially important for beginners, who can't rely on muscle memory. Start with the user's goal, not your favorite screen. Write it in one sentence. If you can't, you don't understand the problem yet. Then list the minimum steps needed to get there. The goal is a clean path, not a perfect interface. When the path is clear, the UI gets easier to design.
## Common traps
Test the riskiest assumption early. If that collapses, you just saved yourself weeks. The riskiest assumption is usually about user intent, not visual style. Ask yourself: what do we need to be true for this to work? Then test that first. Document decisions in plain language. If future-you can't decode it in 30 seconds, rewrite it. This also helps cross-functional teams stay aligned. When engineering and product see the same logic, delivery moves faster. Map the steps as they happen in real life, not the ideal flow. The mess is the point. Users jump between tabs, ask friends, and compare alternatives. Your flow should acknowledge that reality. Good UX makes that messy behavior feel supported instead of punished.
## A simple way to practice
Small improvements compound. Fixing a single confusing label can lift the whole flow. You don't need to redesign the universe. Consistent, incremental wins build trust and momentum over time. Look for moments where users pause. Those pauses tell you where the design is confusing. If users stop and scan, your hierarchy is off. If they scroll up and down, your structure is unclear. Fix the path before polishing the layout. Start with the user's goal, not your favorite screen. Write it in one sentence. If you can't, you don't understand the problem yet. Then list the minimum steps needed to get there. The goal is a clean path, not a perfect interface. When the path is clear, the UI gets easier to design. Small improvements compound. Fixing a single confusing label can lift the whole flow. You don't need to redesign the universe. Consistent, incremental wins build trust and momentum over time. Map the steps as they happen in real life, not the ideal flow. The mess is the point. Users jump between tabs, ask friends, and compare alternatives. Your flow should acknowledge that reality. Good UX makes that messy behavior feel supported instead of punished. Start with the user's goal, not your favorite screen. Write it in one sentence. If you can't, you don't understand the problem yet. Then list the minimum steps needed to get there. The goal is a clean path, not a perfect interface. When the path is clear, the UI gets easier to design. Test the riskiest assumption early. If that collapses, you just saved yourself weeks. The riskiest assumption is usually about user intent, not visual style. Ask yourself: what do we need to be true for this to work? Then test that first. Keep the primary action obvious. If everything is loud, nothing is. Use size, spacing, and placement to make the next step feel inevitable. This is especially important for beginners, who can't rely on muscle memory. Keep the primary action obvious. If everything is loud, nothing is. Use size, spacing, and placement to make the next step feel inevitable. This is especially important for beginners, who can't rely on muscle memory. Sketch first. You move faster and you're less precious about ideas. That's a feature, not a flaw. If you can't explain the structure on paper, Figma won't save you. A rough sketch lets you explore multiple approaches without sunk-cost bias. Sketch first. You move faster and you're less precious about ideas. That's a feature, not a flaw. If you can't explain the structure on paper, Figma won't save you. A rough sketch lets you explore multiple approaches without sunk-cost bias. Small improvements compound. Fixing a single confusing label can lift the whole flow. You don't need to redesign the universe. Consistent, incremental wins build trust and momentum over time. Sketch first. You move faster and you're less precious about ideas. That's a feature, not a flaw. If you can't explain the structure on paper, Figma won't save you. A rough sketch lets you explore multiple approaches without sunk-cost bias. Document decisions in plain language. If future-you can't decode it in 30 seconds, rewrite it. This also helps cross-functional teams stay aligned. When engineering and product see the same logic, delivery moves faster. Start with the user's goal, not your favorite screen. Write it in one sentence. If you can't, you don't understand the problem yet. Then list the minimum steps needed to get there. The goal is a clean path, not a perfect interface. When the path is clear, the UI gets easier to design. Look for moments where users pause. Those pauses tell you where the design is confusing. If users stop and scan, your hierarchy is off. If they scroll up and down, your structure is unclear. Fix the path before polishing the layout. Sketch first. You move faster and you're less precious about ideas. That's a feature, not a flaw. If you can't explain the structure on paper, Figma won't save you. A rough sketch lets you explore multiple approaches without sunk-cost bias.
- Define the goal in one line. - Sketch two fast variants. - Test with one real person. - Fix the most confusing step.
Key takeaways
- Focus on outcomes before UI in Define.
- Clarity beats novelty every time.
- Short feedback loops save weeks of work.
Glossary terms
What to do next
If this clicked, go one layer deeper. Pick another subtopic or jump into a workshop to practice the skill in context. Start with the mega-guide if you want the full foundation in one place.