In reality there’s loads of ‘Laws’ in the design and marketing field, so we’ve simplified things and chosen a few favourites that might challenge you and get you thinking - for all the right reasons!
Hick's Law
The more choices you give, the longer people take to decide.
Ever spent 10 minutes choosing a toothpaste from 30 options at the store?
That's Hick's Law in action.
In design and marketing:
Don't show 10 buttons when 2 will do.
Fewer choices = faster decisions.
Parkinson's Law
Work expands to fill the time given to complete it.
If you give yourself 2 weeks for a task, you'll take 2 weeks - even if it only needs 3 hours!
That's Parkinson's Law in action.
In design and marketing:
Set short deadlines.
You'll be surprised how focused you get.
Fitts's Law
The bigger and closer something is, the easier it is to click.
You're hungry. You click "Order Now" button not "Terms & Conditions." tiny button
That's Fitts's Law in action.
In design and marketing:
Make main actions big and obvious.
Miller's Law.
People can only hold 7 things in their brain at once.
Ever scrolled Netflix for 20 mins and watched nothing?
That's Miller's Law in action.
In design and marketing:
Keep it clean. Break content into small, digestible chunks.
Jakob's Law
People expect your design to work like what they already know.
If Google moved the search bar, half the internet would quit, and the other half would file a complaint.
That's Jakob's Law in action.
In design and marketing:
Familiar = comfortable.
Law of Proximity
Things placed close together feel related.
Have you ever walked into a shop and saw a "50% Off" sign... but no idea what it's actually on?
That's Proximity Law in action.
In design and marketing:
Keep related things close. Don't make users play guessing games.
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