Fundamental User Needs

Self-determination theory (SDT), created by Edward L. Deci and Richard M. Ryan in the 1980s, is a psychological framework focused on understanding what drives human motivation. It identifies 3 key psychological needs, with autonomy being one of them. Autonomy is the desire for independence and the ability to make choices that align with our personal values and goals. This need greatly influences motivation and well-being.

Consider the difference between choosing a hobby and being forced to do a chore. When we pursue a hobby, we're following our interests and feel a sense of control and satisfaction. Conversely, mandatory chores feel frustrating or restrictive because we're given no choice. By understanding and encouraging autonomy, designers can create environments where people feel more motivated, valued, and empowered.

The second need in SDT is relatedness, which refers to the human need to feel understood and supported by others. We are social creatures who thrive on meaningful connections, whether we're introverted or extroverted.

Consider an individual who has emigrated to a new country. Initially, they may feel isolated and stressed about fitting into a new culture. However, by joining community events, language-learning clubs, or even attending a local yoga studio, they can gradually build relationships that make them feel supported and understood. These connections help fulfill their need for relatedness, providing them with a sense of belonging in a new environment.

In design, fostering relatedness means understanding and supporting users throughout their journey. An online platform that encourages collaboration or shared interests can create a sense of community. User interviews and diary studies can reveal insights that designers can use to build products that resonate with the need for relatedness.

Competence is about efficiently succeeding in tasks and feeling confident in our abilities. For instance, consider someone learning to play guitar for the first time. Initially, they struggle with finger placement, hit the wrong notes, and may feel discouraged when they compare themselves to more skilled guitarists. If asked to play again, they might hesitate due to feeling incompetent. But with time, practice, and guidance, they can develop skills and eventually play with ease and confidence.

As designers, we're eager to pack our products with helpful features and services. However, these features can be neglected if we don't help users become proficient with them. Promoting competence in system use leads to greater satisfaction, safety, and efficiency.^[1]

Allowing users to customize content within an interface is a key method for providing them with autonomy. This ability fosters a sense of ownership and personal control over their experience. While not every user spends time personalizing settings, simple customizations can significantly enhance their satisfaction. A practical example of this is on streaming platforms, where users can create personalized playlists based on their preferences. These playlists don't change the core features of the platform, but they allow users to curate and access their favorite media easily, making the platform feel like their own space.

Customization enables users to tailor their experience without compromising usability and consistency. It gives them control over how they interact with the platform while still aligning with familiar, standardized structures.

Providing user autonomy by offering a suitable number of choices is a balancing act. Users feel empowered when they have control over their experience, but too many options can lead to decision paralysis.

Rather than overwhelming users with too many settings or paths, focus on providing a limited selection of meaningful choices. A streaming platform that allows users to filter shows and movies by only a handful of key criteria, such as genre, release year, or language, is a safer choice than offering a variety of niche filters.

This simple approach to filtering provides enough flexibility for users to personalize their viewing experience without bombarding them with complex or redundant options.^[2]

Providing scannability in page layouts and content is a crucial method for granting users autonomy. When information is easy to scan, users can swiftly identify what's relevant to them without being forced to read everything or abandon the task entirely. For instance, consider a well-organized news website. Using clear, descriptive headings and subheadings allows readers to quickly navigate through articles, choosing to delve deeper into topics of interest. This empowers users by letting them control their browsing experience, focusing on what matters most to them.

Good design practices, such as using bullet points, varied text sizes, and logical content hierarchy, enhance scannability. These elements guide users through the content, making the experience not only user-friendly but also respectful of their time and preferences.

Allowing users to choose when and in what order they interact with content significantly enhances their sense of autonomy. This flexibility acknowledges that users have different needs and levels of familiarity with a platform. For instance, someone well-acquainted with a website might skip introductory content, while a new visitor might prefer a guided tour.

YouTube effectively provides autonomy by letting viewers select which videos to watch and in what order. Users can jump directly to videos of interest or explore suggested playlists based on their viewing history. This personalized approach accommodates users at different familiarity levels and with various interests, enhancing their control and satisfaction.

Conversely, requiring users to enter personal information before accessing basic services can feel forced and frustrating. By allowing users to skip steps, choose content paths, and offering them multiple interaction methods, designers can create more engaging, user-friendly, and empowering environments.

Providing relevant content is a powerful way to fulfill users' need for relatedness, showing them that their individual needs and preferences are understood. This approach builds trust and strengthens users' connections with a platform or brand. For instance, consider a fitness app that tailors its content to individual user profiles. Users enter their fitness goals, dietary preferences, and current fitness level, and the app responds with personalized workout plans, meal suggestions, and motivational messages. This targeted content not only meets users’ specific health goals but also communicates a clear understanding of their unique needs, enhancing their sense of relatedness to the app.

Facilitating communication between users is a crucial method for meeting their need for relatedness. By enabling connections, platforms can foster a sense of community and belonging, which is essential for user satisfaction. For example, a project management tool that allows team members to comment on tasks, share updates, and mention each other not only makes collaboration smoother but also strengthens the team's cohesion. These interactions help individuals feel more connected and supported, enhancing their overall work experience.

Fulfilling users' need for competence involves providing timely help to ensure they can quickly and efficiently master a system. One effective method is the use of contextual tooltips or overlays that appear just when users might need them, rather than overwhelming them with information upfront through tutorials or extensive onboarding processes. For example, consider a banking app that provides an overlay explaining new features or updates the first time the user encounters them. This just-in-time assistance not only helps users understand how to use the features but also reinforces their confidence in using the app, thereby enhancing their overall competence.

Such strategies should always be tested with real users to ensure they genuinely aid in learning and efficiency, rather than simply adding to the clutter.

Minimizing the learning curve of a system is essential to fulfilling users' need for competence. Simplifying the user experience can greatly enhance their ability to quickly grasp and effectively use a system. This might include:

• Using plain language: Avoiding technical jargon and opting for clear, simple expressions helps users understand functions without confusion. For instance, in a project management tool, labeling features with straightforward terms like "Add Task" instead of technical terms like "Initiate Process" can make a significant difference.
• Integrating progressive disclosure: This technique involves presenting only the necessary or requested information to users at any given time, thus keeping the interface uncluttered and focusing attention on the task at hand.

When designing interfaces that need to meet conflicting user needs like autonomy, relatedness, and competence, finding the right balance is crucial. For example, consider a tax filing software with a guided setup. This wizard helps users input complex data correctly, enhancing their competence and confidence. However, this structured guidance also limits their freedom to navigate the tool independently, reducing autonomy.

In such scenarios, it's important to test the design with real users to see what they value more. If users prefer the ease and accuracy that comes with guided steps, focusing on competence may be the right choice. On the other hand, if they value the freedom to explore and make choices, even at the cost of facing more complex interactions, then autonomy should be prioritized.