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Cover image for Our UI Is Fine — So Why Does It Feel Bad?
Shashwat Pritish
Shashwat Pritish

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Our UI Is Fine — So Why Does It Feel Bad?

Your app works.

No bugs.

No broken layouts.

Yet… it doesn’t feel right.

Here’s why 👇


1. Everything is competing for attention

When everything is “important”, nothing is.

Fix

Pick one primary action per screen.

Everything else should quietly support it.


2. There’s no visual rhythm

Your UI has content, but no flow.

Fix

Repeat patterns:

  • Same spacing
  • Same card styles
  • Same button sizes

Consistency creates comfort.


3. Too much information at once

Users feel overwhelmed — even if nothing is technically wrong.

Fix

Hide details by default.

Reveal only when needed.

Less visible ≠ less powerful.


4. UI elements feel heavy

Large borders, dark shadows, strong colors = visual weight.

Fix

Soften everything:

  • Lighter shadows
  • Fewer borders
  • Muted backgrounds

Light UI = calm UI.


5. No clear starting point

Users don’t know where to look first.

Fix

Use hierarchy:

  • One strong heading
  • One clear action
  • Everything else secondary

Guide the eyes.


6. Not enough breathing room

Even a good layout feels bad when it’s cramped.

Fix

Add more spacing than feels necessary.

Whitespace is not wasted space.


In short

Your UI feels bad because of:

  • Too many priorities
  • No rhythm
  • Too much information
  • Heavy visuals
  • Weak hierarchy
  • Lack of whitespace

None of these are bugs.

But fixing them changes everything.

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