Berry's Law

"If an icon doesn't come to mind within five seconds, opt for a word instead."

A practical heuristic emphasizing the importance of clarity and immediate comprehension in design.

I'm claiming it!

It aligns with the broader concept of cognitive load in user experience design. The principle suggests that designs should be straightforward and minimize the effort required for users to understand and use a product.

This heuristic could be seen as an application of Occam's Razor to design—opting for the simplest solution that achieves the desired outcome. In contexts where an icon might not be immediately apparent or universally understood, using a word (or label) can reduce ambiguity and improve usability, particularly for global audiences or diverse user groups.

It's a valuable consideration for user experience, especially in cases where icons might become too abstract or when designing for accessibility, ensuring that information is clear and easy to interpret for all users.

Steve Berry
Principal, Thought Merchants