Design principle #1: set defaults

Avoid making the user choose from too many options.

Do: set default options for users to choose from–ideally the most common and provide a way for them to choose what is not initially presented.

Avoid: presenting a wide array of options that the interface gets cluttered and the users confused on which to choose.

Choose the most common/natural path for the users.

Do: set default actions in the context of the task while still making other actions available.

Avoid: cramming available actions altogether; provide importance to actions which are more contextual than others.

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Design principles are not rules to abide by but more of guidelines in designing products for users. They should be put in context and tweaked when necessary.