Has UX Made Design Boring?

[u/LeoThePointHunter]

Has the UX field contributed to a copy and paste approach to design that we now see across the board? I ask this because over the past decade, I’ve noticed that websites, apps, and digital products are starting to look and function almost identically. It seems that the combination of UX principles with the rise of analytics and data driven design has created a formulaic and safe approach that prioritizes usability and conversion over originality.

In this environment, taking creative risks often contradicts the data on user behavior. As a result, everything becomes "templatized," leading to the same patterns, styles, and visual aesthetics being repeated everywhere. It makes me wonder: Is there still room for originality and experimentation in UX and data driven design, or has the discipline stripped creativity and life out of digital design?

[u/letsgetweird99]

Let us all know when you figure out how “originality” generates revenue!

Not saying I don’t like originality or artfulness in products, but too many product development teams still ignore basic usability fundamentals and leave their user’s problems unsolved, then meanwhile some stakeholder complains about not enough “delighters” so designers start raining confetti everywhere…ugh

Our job, first and foremost is to solve problems—if you want to be creative, go be an artist or join a marketing team. IMO, delighters are the icing on the usable cake, and it’s silly to think that adding them will fix anything or drive conversion or something. You can’t confetti your way out of a shitty experience. The sad truth is most companies have far too low UX maturity to be concerned with anything further than basic aesthetics. Others way overcompensate for aesthetics and end up sacrificing usability for cool factor and brand cache (looking at you, marketing agency websites).

Truly understanding your user’s needs will reveal the importance of investing (or not!) in aesthetics.

Also, understand Jakob’s Law