I was looking at Montessori-style toys the other day for my upcoming child. Simple wooden blocks. Stackable rings. A spinning drum with a bell inside. My first thought? Too basic. Our kid will get bored fast.

But then I realised — I was looking at them through my eyes, not the baby’s.

A baby doesn’t see a wooden ring as “too simple.” They see something new to grab, turn, and explore. They don’t need more. They need just enough to learn. Everything ranging from cognitive to sensory development, which at that age is underdeveloped to say the least. The simplicity is the point.

A lot of people miss this when they design things. They think from the inside out. They start with their own ideas, their own expertise, their own point of view. They assume they know what the user wants without actually asking them.

I’ve seen this countless times. People, and often management, will jump to a solution before validating what the problem they’re actually trying to solve is. 

Great UX designers do the opposite. They start with the user. They research. They observe. They remove clutter. They make things feel obvious, natural, and easy. Not because they cut corners, but because they put in the work to make it that way.

Now, this isn’t impossible. Some companies, like 37Signals, do it well. But they usually start by being their own users — designing for what they personally need. The same thing applies to many start ups.

At any rate, a good toy makes learning feel natural. A good product does the same.

Good UX is about understanding the user and designing for them.

That’s why I appreciate UX designers. The best ones don’t just build things we use. They build things that make sense. Ultimately, they take the time to see the world through the eyes of the users.