UX LAWS
of
GITHUB

About Github

GitHub is a platform for hosting, sharing, and collaborating on code, using Git for version control. It allows developers to manage projects, track changes, and collaborate with others globally.

UX LAWS

Fitts’s Law
Aesthetic-Usability
Goal-Gradient Effect
Hick’s Law
Jakob’s Law
Miller’s Law
Parkinson’s Law
Zeigarnik Effect
Postel’s Law
Pareto Principle

Fitts's Law

According to Fitts’s Law, GitHub’s design effectively implements usability principles by making buttons large and easily tappable, ensuring adequate spacing to prevent accidental clicks. The site also uses big, readable headings, enhancing navigation and user interaction for a seamless experience.

Aesthetic-Usability Effect

The Aesthetic-Usability Effect is evident on GitHub, where the clean, visually appealing design enhances the overall usability of the platform. By prioritizing aesthetics, GitHub makes the interface more intuitive and inviting, which in turn makes users feel that the platform is easier to navigate and easy to use.

Goal-Gradient Effect

The Goal-Gradient Effect is effectively applied on GitHub, where users are motivated to complete tasks faster as they near the end. This is evident in features like the password strength indicator with red, yellow, and green lines, the “You’re almost done” prompts, and progress bars for submitting information, all of which visually guide users towards task completion, enhancing productivity and engagement.

Hick’s Law

Hick’s Law is apparent on GitHub, where the abundance of content can lead to decision-making delays and user confusion. The sheer volume of options and information may overwhelm users, making it harder to quickly navigate and make choices on the platform.

Jakob’s Law

Jakob’s Law is well-reflected on GitHub, where familiar layouts and navigation patterns enhance user comfort and ease of use. The profile icon is consistently placed on the right side, and the search bar is located in the top header, aligning with common design conventions found across other platforms.

Miller’s Law

Miller’s Law is applied on GitHub by breaking down complex tasks into manageable chunks, such as when entering a card number. The platform divides the card number input into smaller sections, making it easier for users to process and input information accurately.

Parkinson’s Law

Parkinson’s Law is addressed on GitHub by reducing the time needed to complete tasks, enhancing user experience. This is exemplified when filling out forms, where auto-filling options are provided, streamlining the process and helping users complete tasks more efficiently.

Zeigarnik Effect

The Zeigarnik Effect is utilized on GitHub through the green-colored boxes in the contribution section, which visually remind users of their incomplete or ongoing tasks. This design encourages users to continue contributing, as the incomplete tasks stand out and are more likely to be remembered.

Postel’s Law

Postel’s Law is implemented on GitHub by providing clear feedback and defining acceptable inputs during the creation of a README file. The platform offers suggestions and guidance to help users format their files correctly, ensuring clarity and consistency in their contributions.

Pareto’s Principle

Pareto’s Principle is evident on GitHub, where 80% of users focus on 20% of the menu items. The platform ensures these key features are easily accessible and prominently displayed in the navigation, optimizing user experience by prioritizing the most frequently used elements.

Exploring GitHub’s website through the lens of UX laws offers valuable insights into how these principles are applied to enhance user experience. For instance, observing how GitHub implements Fitts’s Law by making buttons easily tappable and how Jakob’s Law is reflected in familiar navigation patterns provides a clear understanding of effective design strategies.

Additionally, examining the use of auto-filling options under Parkinson’s Law and the visibility of incomplete tasks through the Zeigarnik Effect reveals how GitHub optimizes task efficiency and user engagement.