Ever clicked on a sleek, minimalist website only to feel completely lost? You’re not alone. In an era where less is more, some designers strip interfaces down to the point where users have no clue what to do next.

Welcome to Norman’s Law in UX, which essentially states: “The more you simplify, the more complex the underlying system becomes.”

At first glance, an ultra-clean design might seem intuitive, but hidden complexity lurks beneath the surface. This paradox affects everything from website navigation to mobile apps, smart home devices, and even self-checkout kiosks.

So, how can UX designers embrace simplicity without making users feel like they need a decoder ring just to complete a basic task? Let’s break it down.

What Is Norman’s Law in UX?

Don Norman, a legendary UX researcher and the mind behind The Design of Everyday Things, noticed a critical issue:

• Designers strive for simplicity, but
• That simplicity often forces the system to do more work behind the scenes, creating unexpected complexity.

Examples of Norman’s Law in Action

The iPhone’s Home Button Disappearance

• Apple removed the home button to simplify navigation.
• But now users must memorize multiple gestures, like swiping in specific directions to switch apps or return home.

Self-Checkout Kiosks

• Designed to be faster than cashiers.
• Yet, confusing UI flows, error messages, and hidden options often slow users down.

“Invisible” Navigation Menus

• Websites with hidden navigation (hamburger menus, disappearing toolbars) feel sleek.
• But users waste time hunting for basic actions.

In each case, designers removed visible complexity, but in doing so, shifted the cognitive load onto the user.

When UX Simplicity Backfires: Hidden Complexity in Design

Simplicity in interface design should never come at the expense of usability. Here’s where things go wrong:

Too Many Hidden Actions

• Minimalist apps often hide essential functions behind swipes, gestures, or multi-step interactions.
• Example: Some mobile banking apps bury basic actions (like transferring money) under layers of nested menus.

Lack of Feedback

• Users need confirmation that their action was successful.
• Example: Some one-click payment UIs provide no feedback—leading users to click again, resulting in accidental double charges.

Cognitive Load Gets Transferred to the User

• A lack of clear signposts means users must memorize pathways and actions instead of following intuitive cues.
• Example: A voice assistant with no visible prompts forces users to remember exact commands to control smart devices.

The result? Frustration. Abandonment. User error.

How to Balance Simplicity and Usability in UX Design

So, how do we keep interfaces clean without making them confusing?

Prioritize Progressive Disclosure

• Reveal features gradually instead of hiding everything upfront.
• Example: Google Docs keeps the toolbar simple but expands menus when needed.

Use Clear Signifiers & Visual Cues

• Don’t make users guess where to tap or swipe—provide hints, buttons, and tooltips.
• Example: The iOS control center uses visible toggles instead of forcing users to memorize swipe gestures.

Provide Immediate Feedback

• Always give a response when users interact with the interface.
• Example: When sending a payment, Venmo shows a checkmark, confirmation message, and email receipt to reassure users.

Offer Redundancy for Key Actions

• Users should have multiple ways to complete an action (e.g., both a button and a swipe gesture).
• Example: Spotify lets users like a song via a heart icon or a contextual menu.

By applying these strategies, we maintain the illusion of simplicity while preserving usability—a true balance of function and aesthetics.

The Future of Norman’s Law in UX: What’s Next?

As design trends evolve, the demand for ultra-minimalist interfaces will continue—so will the challenges of hidden complexity. Here’s what’s on the horizon:

• AI-Driven Interfaces – Smart UIs that learn user behavior and predict actions to simplify workflows.
• Voice + Visual Hybrid Models – Interfaces that seamlessly integrate spoken and visual cues for better discoverability.
• Adaptive UIs – Systems that adjust complexity based on user expertise (e.g., beginners see tooltips, experts get streamlined views).

The best designers will embrace Norman’s Law without letting it compromise usability.

Embracing Simplicity Without Sacrificing Usability

Norman’s Law reminds us that simplifying an interface doesn’t remove complexity—it just moves it elsewhere. The challenge for UX designers is ensuring that simplicity doesn’t create hidden struggles for users.

Final Takeaways:

• Simplicity should never mean missing information.
• Minimalism must guide users, not leave them guessing.
• The best UX feels effortless—not because it’s basic, but because it’s designed for real human behavior.

By balancing simplicity with clear affordances, feedback, and guidance, we can create products that feel simple—without being frustratingly complex under the hood.

Because at the end of the day, true simplicity isn’t about removing features—it’s about making complexity feel invisible.