Imagine it is a tax season, and you are determined to file your annual taxes. As you visit the tax authority’s website, you’re immediately overwhelmed. Countless forms, login details, and personal information requests greet you, followed up with an enormous excel-like interface with cells, references, formulas, making the process feel like an endless maze. All you want to do is input those six numbers and be done for the year. Instead, you’re caught in a convoluted interface that obscures the very task it should facilitate. But what if there is a better way? An alternative approach that sidesteps the user interface trap and focuses on simplifying the user experience while amplifying core functionality.

User Interfaces are Friction

User interfaces (UI) are often praised for their positive impact on software design. However, it’s important to recognize that they can also introduce friction — basically, a force that hinders the smooth execution of tasks. Imagine trying to move a heavy stone from point A to point B. Friction saps energy and makes the process more difficult. But in reality, what matters is reaching the destination, not the act of moving itself. Similarly, complex interfaces impose mental costs on users as they navigate through layers of menus, decipher confusing layouts, and grapple with overwhelming options.

Personally, I’ve found solace in features like Mac’s menu search or universal input boxes in IDEs, which conveniently consolidate files, symbols, commands, and settings. What users truly desire is simplicity—a seamless experience that effortlessly grants them access to the core value a product or service offers. In this context, the mantra of “less is more” holds true. Like many good things in life, the best user experience is one that goes unnoticed, enabling users to concentrate on their tasks without being encumbered by complex interfaces.

To the Core

Users are ultimately driven by the core value a product or service can provide, placing it above the interface itself. At the end of the day, users have specific needs and goals they want to fulfill. They want their cars sold, their friends easily reached, and their kids enrolled in the best summer camps. These are the outcomes that truly matter to them. Consider the use of a messaging app, for instance. The primary desire is seamless communication with others, not getting caught up in pressing buttons and admiring the app’s design. Similarly, when ordering food delivery, the main objective is to satisfy hunger, not to be enthralled by a beautifully designed menu or a series of screens.

In various applications, users prioritize and invest in outcomes—the tangible end results or benefits they seek—rather than going through the interface. Users are often willing to overlook a subpar interface if it means they can achieve their desired outcome efficiently and effectively. Ultimately, it is the core value provided by a product or service that drives user satisfaction and determines its success.

By recognizing the primacy of core value, startups and businesses can shift their focus away from a heavy investment in complex user interfaces and instead prioritize delivering the outcomes that truly matter to their users. By streamlining the user experience and removing unnecessary friction, startups can enhance their offering’s value proposition and create a more satisfying and efficient experience for their users.

The Startup Perspective

From a business perspective, startups are wary of investing heavily in user interfaces. Building, maintaining, and updating UI can be costly and time-consuming. Startups need to carefully consider where to allocate their limited resources to maximize their chances of success.

Startups, especially at the early stage, are always faced with the challenge of having more work than available resources, and also proving themselves all the time to users, investors, partners. Whether it’s due to limited funding or capacity, startups must prioritize their efforts on what truly drives success and generates revenue. By focusing sharply on the core value for the users they can make the most.

Also, less code means fewer liabilities and costs, both in the present and in the future. By avoiding unnecessary complexities and streamlining their technological infrastructure, startups can reduce maintenance burdens and free up resources for more impactful endeavors.

The Case for Zero User Interface

But what if we could eliminate the need for traditional user interfaces altogether? Welcome to the world of zero user interface, where the focus shifts from visual design to delivering meaningful interactions through streamlined channels. Imagine a scenario where a user’s thirst is quenched by finding a water bottle right within their reach, without any conscious effort. This is the essence of zero user interface—an experience that seamlessly caters to user needs with utmost simplicity. A prime example of this transformative approach is the integration of chatbots powered by advanced language models like ChatGPT, revolutionizing the way users interact with technology.

Startups, in particular, stand to benefit from embracing the philosophy of “less is more.” By reducing the time and resources spent on complex forms and login boxes, startups can divert their attention towards cultivating meaningful connections with customers. This allows them to better understand their customers’ pain points and address them effectively. In a world where time and money are precious commodities, prioritizing core value over unnecessary UI elements enables startups to focus on what truly matters—building valuable relationships and delivering exceptional experiences.

So What?

In this article, we have explored the idea of whether user interfaces (UI) are truly necessary. We have delved into the concept of zero user interface, where the focus is on making the core value directly accessible to the customer, bypassing the need for a traditional UI. It’s important to note that our exploration has been more of a philosophical exercise, aimed at stimulating thought and discussion rather than providing a definitive guide.

However, the journey doesn’t end here. In our next article, we will dive into a concrete example from direct experience that brings these concepts to life. Stay tuned.

Credits:

• Photo by Nikita Kachanovsky on Unsplash
• Thanks to Artyom Astafurov for seeding the idea and making me think about this