Design & Grow 🌱 | I Broke Every Design Rule

Hi Reader 👋,

Last week, I built a website that intentionally breaks fundamental design principles. The result? A deliberately chaotic interface that rejects hierarchy, proximity, contrast, and structure. This experiment specifically challenged Gestalt principles – the fundamental laws that describe how our brains organize visual information. These principles (like proximity, similarity, and continuity) have shaped design for decades because they reflect how we naturally process information. By breaking them, I wanted to understand just how essential they are to user experience.

Here's what this exercise taught me:

1. Our brains crave order

When users encounter randomly placed navigation items, we immediately try creating mental groupings. This natural drive for organization shows why thoughtful information architecture isn't just a nice-to-have – it's how our minds work.

2. Structure isn't just about

Good design isn't just pleasing to look at – it's essential for usability. When basic principles like proximity and alignment were removed, users struggle to complete simple tasks.

3. Breaking rules requires purpose

Anti-design can be powerful when intentional. Fashion websites like Balenciaga effectively break traditional patterns to create memorable experiences. But this experiment showed that breaking rules needs clear purpose – random chaos just creates confusion. It's about strategic disruption, not arbitrary disorder.

4. Accessibility needs structure

Users who require screen readers would be completely lost on this site. Without proper heading hierarchy and logical tab order, the experience isn't just difficult - it is unusable. This reinforces that clear structure isn't a design preference – it's a fundamental requirement for inclusive design.

Creating intentional disorder showed me just how vital these design principles are. While we can strategically break them for effect, understanding their fundamental importance to user experience is essential for making those breaks meaningful.

To see the site, click here.

Design Library

curated resources for continuous learning

This week's curated resources focus on Gestalt principles and their application in design:

How Gestalt Principles Influence UX Design (UX Matters)
This article explores how Gestalt principles—such as proximity, similarity, and continuity—shape user perception and interaction in digital design. It provides practical insights into applying these principles to create intuitive and visually cohesive user experiences.

How to Use Gestalt Principles for Better UX (Userlytics)
A hands-on guide to leveraging Gestalt psychology in UX design, this piece breaks down key principles with real-world applications. It emphasizes how understanding human perception can help designers craft seamless and engaging interfaces.

Gestalt Principles Resource Library (Figma)
A curated resource by Figma that breaks down Gestalt principles with interactive examples. Perfect for designers looking to deepen their understanding and apply these concepts directly in their workflows.

Weekly Resource

featured resource from fwd design co

Free Download: Gestalt Principles Quick Guide
I've created a visual guide breaking down the six core Gestalt principles essential for UI design. Each principle is explained with clear descriptions and practical applications.