Idea to Hi-Fidelity Prototype

Evaluating the UI with Heuristic Evaluation

To evaluate my medium-fidelity UI prototype in Figma, Nielsen’s 10 Usability Heuristics is used by going through each screen in the tutorial application with the checklist on these principles. The peer feedback is also gathered to gain different perspectives and identify issues that might have been missed. The most challenging heuristic to apply was user control and freedom, since the initial design did not offer clear ways to undo actions or go back, which made the overall user experience feel limiting. Help and documentation was also difficult to incorporate without making the interface feel cluttered.

During the evaluation, several usability issues are found. For example, some tutorial screens relied only on icons without labels, which went against the “Recognition rather than recall” heuristic. Additionally, the technical terms that did not match how most users naturally think, violating the principle of aligning the system with the real world. One thing that stood out was how much even small issues, such as unclear wording or unfamiliar icons could disrupt the user experience.

Based on the user feedback, the tutorial navigation is improved by adding the "Back" and "Cancel" options, clearer button labels, and included tooltips for icons that weren’t immediately obvious. These updates made the interface more intuitive and user-friendly, helping it better align with how people actually interact with digital products.

Refining Your Design Based on Evaluation

After going through the heuristic evaluation process, several changes are made to improve both the visual design and the overall user experience. Clear navigation elements like consistent "Back" and "Cancel" buttons are added to give users a sense of control. The icons are updated and included text labels to make features easier to recognize without relying on memory. In addition, technical terms are reworded to sound more natural and user-friendly.

These updates aligned with the original goals of creating a simple, clear, and efficient experience for users. I also worked on finding the right balance between visual appeal and usability. This involved adjusting the colors to improve contrast, making important elements like buttons and alerts stand out, and choosing better typography that remained modern and easy to read across different screen sizes.

Visually, unnecessary clutter is reduced, so users could focus on key actions. For example, the crowded dashboard is simplified by grouping related features and using whitespace. the icon-only toolbar is replaced with clearly labeled buttons, which made the navigation more intuitive. These before-and-after improvements show how applying user feedback can lead to a cleaner, more accessible, and more effective tutorial application design.

Learning from the Process

Going through the steps of heuristic evaluation made me realized of what it means to design for the user. It is not just about making the elements in the tutorial application look appealing. It is about thinking ahead, keeping things simple to understand, and making the whole user experience feel smooth and natural. The process showed me how even small issues, like unclear labels or confusing navigation, can confuse users and make the overall user experience frustrating.

User feedback prompted me to reevaluate how people navigate with my tutorial application design. I had assumed that certain steps such as progressing through the tutorial or locating key actions were self-explanatory. However, it became clear that users needed more clearer instructions. In response, I redesigned the layout to include more prominent navigation buttons, consistent icons, and step-by-step progress indicators. Confirmation messages of completed tutorial sections were added to guide users more effectively through the tutorial interface.

One surprising aspect that I learned is how much people focus on small details to feel confident while using a product. Several aspects such as familiar icons, clear error messages, and simple navigation contribute a bigger role than I expected. This experience changed how I view UI design. It is not just about the physical interface, but it is also about helping people connect with what the product actually does. Good design should support the user at every step, almost without them noticing it.

Reflecting on Your Career as a Digital Product Designer

This tutorial application project really changed the way I think about designing digital products. Having hands-on experience with heuristic evaluations showed me how important it is to identify usability issues early, before developing products further. I also realized that even rough drafts of a design can reveal a lot when you view them from the user’s perspective.

One important takeaway is that great design does not just come from visual appeal. It comes from making elements in the product clear and easy to use, and that usually takes a few attempts of thoughtful changes. I have learned that good design requires actively understanding user needs and continuously seeking user feedback.

This whole process made me appreciate usability testing more. It is not just achieving for the final result quickly. Designing an exceptional product is a thoughtful process that leads to more meaningful and effective solutions. Going forward, I will apply these principles to ensure my designs for products are both visually appealing and effectively meet user needs.