What comes first: design or usability?

Question

I know it may sound strange, but there is an opinion that design should come first, as well as there's an opinion that usability is king. I stand for usability over design, but what do you think?

Brian Hurst · Accepted Answer

Usability. It goes back to the principle of building an MVP first. If you can't use it, it's not an MVP. Get it working to get feedback as soon as possible, and then worry about how it looks.

That's been our workflow for mDash, our AI-powered project management tool built for web development that we're launching here soon, and it's how we've been able to take it from idea to alpha to open beta (soon!) much more quickly. If anyone is at all curious about mDash or would like to support our launch, please feel  free to check out our coming soon page, too! We truly appreciate any support ❤️

Answer

when we talk about user friendly design, it's always all about Usability!!

Philipp Shay · Answer

Based on the well-known abbreviation UX/UI, it seems like usability comes first))

Gaurav Sharma · Answer

I would think usability, assuming you are solving a pain point. I have seen terrible UIs multiple times being used, and people being hesitant to upgrade to new design for the fear of breaking things (latest being at Hope Depot actually, where the employee was trying to use the old system instead of the new and was utterly disappointed to find that they had cut DB access for the old one that day :) )

Igor Lysenko · Answer

If it’s convenient to use, you can partially close your eyes to the design.

Henry Chang · Answer

many successful 1st version products looked like crap, but people love using it XD

Hirak Kocharee · Answer

Considering usability from an interface perspective is an integral aspect of design, and it deserves equal priority. However, when discussing usability from a technical functionality standpoint, I would argue that usability should take precedence.

Below are my point of views:
1) Equal Priority for Usability in Interface Design
2) Priority for Usability in Technical Functionality

Answer

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Prem Saini · Answer

I feel usability because we need to ensure functionality and user satisfaction

Pam K. · Answer

If Google Search Engine is anything to go by in the early days, I'd say usability.

Even better if you can do both.

Woods Shop · Answer

I think Usability

Sophia Solanki · Answer

Bot go hand in hand. Good design is built for good usability.

Yemi Oyepeju · Answer

Putting the horse before the cart, design comes first. Bear in mind that sketches, wireframes or low fidelity mockups are also designs. You can't test an idea with verbal or written context alone. If finished, pixel perfect design is what you mean, then usability comes first.

Charlie Charles · Answer

Design i think

What comes first: design or usability?

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