The Power of Node Jumps in UX Design

Dilshan Senevirathne
7 min readFeb 7, 2023

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Node jumps are an essential part of UX design and can greatly enhance the user experience by allowing for quick navigation to specific sections within a website or application. However, it’s important to keep in mind that creating effective node jumps requires more than just randomly linking elements together. There is a science and methodology behind creating a well-designed node jump system that can greatly improve the user experience.

One of the key elements to consider when designing node jumps is mapping. This involves carefully planning out the connections between each node and how users will navigate from one to another. This process should be guided by practical experience and a deep understanding of design thinking. A well-designed node jump system will not only improve the speed and efficiency of navigation, but also make it intuitive and easy for users to understand.
It’s important to ensure that node jumps are well-labeled and clearly visible, so that users are aware of the option to use them. This will also help users understand where they will be taken when they use a node jump. Ultimately, the goal is to create a node jump system that is seamless, intuitive, and improves the overall user experience.

It`s about the order

Node jumps are a vital part of UX design, and it’s not just about how you map them. The order in which you present node jump options to users is equally important. While many designers overlook this aspect, there are still some UX designers who understand its significance and work tirelessly to perfect it.
You may not immediately see the thought and consideration put into the order of node jumps, as it operates quietly behind the scenes. But if you take a closer look and think about node jumps like a UX psychopath, you’ll start to see the strategic planning that goes into making them effective.

Designing the order of node jumps requires a deep understanding of user behavior and decision-making. It’s important to present node jump options in a logical and intuitive manner, so that users can easily navigate to the information they need.
Let me give you an example to help clarify this concept. Imagine you receive two pop-up messages, and I want to show you how the order in which these messages appear can greatly impact your experience.
By carefully considering the order in which these messages appear, we can create a more seamless and user-friendly experience. So, let’s dive in and see how we can make this scenario work for the user!

Just Imagine..

Okay, so you’re in the process of designing an article community for writers, and you’ve got a prototype ready to go. After a writer posts an article, they have the option to delete it if they need to. This is a standard feature in most systems, and it’s important to make sure that it’s included.
Now, let’s say the writer decides to delete their post. To make sure that this wasn’t a mistake, the system has a well-designed pop-up message to confirm the deletion. This message appears to double-check that the writer really wants to delete the post and prevent accidental deletions.
It’s important to design this pop-up message in a way that is user-friendly and clear so that the writer knows exactly what they are doing. And by adding this confirmation step, you’re helping to create a more seamless and user-friendly experience for the writer.

and here is the design option which so seems like same but deeply not. there are 2 designs, what would be your design when the deletion confirmation pop-up option order buttons?

What would you go for?

there are two main approaches when it comes to the order of buttons in a deletion confirmation pop-up. One approach is to have the “cancel” button first, followed by the “delete” button. This way, if the user accidentally clicks the button, they will cancel the action instead of completing it.

The other approach is to have the “delete” button first, followed by the “cancel” button. This way, the user is encouraged to confirm their intention to delete but can still easily cancel the action if necessary.

Ultimately, the design that works best will depend on the context and the target audience. It’s important to consider factors such as the user’s level of technical expertise, the potential consequences of accidental deletions, and the overall tone and style of the user interface. The goal should always be to create a confirmation pop-up that is clear, easy to understand, and minimizes the risk of accidental deletions.

do you want to know the fastest way to grasp the concept of node jumps in UX design? It’s all about understanding the psychology and performance of the human eye.

You see, our eyes don’t really read, they scan. Interesting, right? I’ll be diving deeper into this topic in an upcoming article, so stay tuned!

Shh! Pay attention closely.

And what our eyes scan, our brains then interpret. And when we scan, we tend to go for the most eye-catching element first, based on color variations. And if the elements are well designed in the interface, we naturally tend to scan from left to right, just like how we read.

you want to delete a post, so you press the delete button. When the confirmation pop-up appears, you see two options in the following order: “delete” first and then “cancel”. As psychology studies show, even if we know what action we want to take, we still look at all the options available to us. This varies from person to person, but for the majority, this is how our brains work.

Design 1

1. We first see the “delete” option, which is what we want to do [node 1].

2. Then we look at the remaining option, which is “cancel” [node 2]. Our brain then thinks, “Okay, let’s delete this”.

3. Finally, we go back to the “delete” button and execute the action [node3].

In total, there are 3 nodes involved in this process.

Design 2

  1. In this case, the first thing you see is the cancel button [node 1].

Then, you quickly scan for the delete button to see if it’s there.

2. And finally, your brain processes the information, and you execute the action you intended to do [node 2],

which deletes the post-node 3. So, the total number of nodes,

in this case, is just 2!

This is a great example of how the order of elements in a design can affect the user experience and make it easier or more difficult for the user to accomplish their goal.

When it comes to designing user experiences, reducing node jumps can make all the difference. Every time a user has to take an extra step or decision, it increases the chance of confusion, frustration, or abandonment. And while you might think that one extra step is not a big deal, it can add up quickly when users are navigating through a complex interface or performing multiple tasks.
So, if you’re looking to create an environment that is optimized for user experience, reducing node jumps should be one of your top priorities. Whether you’re working on a new website, mobile app, or any other kind of digital product, paying close attention to the way users are navigating through your interface can help you identify areas where you can make improvements.
And while reducing node jumps is a science, it’s also an art. The key is to understand the psychology of user behavior and find ways to streamline their interactions with your product in a way that feels intuitive and natural. Whether that means rearranging buttons, simplifying menus, or reducing the number of decisions users have to make, there are always ways to improve the user experience and make it more enjoyable and engaging.

So, if you’re ready to take your UX design to the next level, start thinking about how you can reduce node jumps and make your product more user-friendly. The results will speak for themselves!

You may think that the order of buttons in a confirmation pop-up is not something to be too concerned about, but let me tell you that every little detail counts when it comes to user experience design. Some may not even notice the order of the buttons and have never faced any confusion or delay when interacting with a system. However, studies have shown that not everyone perceives things the same way and that’s why it’s crucial for UX designers to always aim to satisfy the majority of users when delivering a design solution. Of course, you can’t please everyone, just like the ice cream man can’t make every flavor that everyone likes, but it’s important to hit the majority to create the best user experience possible.

In conclusion, UX plays a vital role in today’s digital landscape. The field is ever-evolving, with new discoveries waiting to be made. Staying curious and eager to learn UX keeps you ahead of the curve and adds a unique perspective to your designs. Never stop exploring and always strive for better user experiences

and peace!

References

“Don’t Make Me Think” by Steve Krug.

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