A UX lesson from Vinayagar and his mouse.

One is large. One is tiny. Yet both belong in the same experience.

That's the UX lesson: different users can have different needs and still need to use the same product.

The problem with the “ideal” user

We sometimes design for someone who has the expected device, good connectivity, perfect vision, plenty of time, and no unexpected problems.

But real users rarely fit that perfect scenario.

They use different devices, have different abilities, navigate different environments, and bring different levels of experience.

Same goal, different journey

One user might have a fast connection, a large screen, and plenty of experience.

Another might have a slow connection, a small screen, and no familiarity with the product.

Both want the same outcome, but their constraints are different.

One flow doesn't automatically mean one experience.

Design for the range

Before shipping a feature, consider five things:

  • Device: Does it work across relevant devices and screen sizes?
  • Ability: Can people with different abilities complete the task?
  • Context: What changes when the environment changes?
  • Experience: Can beginners and experienced users succeed?
  • Recovery: What happens when something goes wrong?

Responsive UX isn't just about resizing layouts. It's about making the experience work for people in different situations.

The five-question user check

Before you ship, ask:

  1. Who? Who might experience this differently?
  2. Where? Where might they use it?
  3. How? What devices or interaction methods might they use?
  4. What if? What happens when things don't go as planned?
  5. Can they? Can people with different abilities complete the task?

If you've only tested the happy path, you probably haven't tested the full experience.

A simple framework

Identify who might experience the product differently. Anticipate their constraints. Adapt the experience. Test whether it works. Improve what still creates friction.

Don't guess the range. Test it.

Design for the range, not the average.

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