Designing for Cross-Cultural User Experiences: Moving Beyond Localization

As a UX researcher and student, I’ve had the opportunity to explore various theories and concepts related to user experience design. While traditional UX principles are essential, I’ve found that thinking beyond these theories can lead to innovative solutions that truly enhance the user’s experience. In this article, I’ll be sharing some article topics that I believe encourage this type of thinking. These topics go beyond the conventional understanding of UX design and explore new ideas that can inspire designers to break the mold and approach their work with fresh perspectives. So if you’re ready to challenge the status quo and explore new frontiers in UX design, this article is for you.

let’s dive in step by step and explore this topic together. So let’s observe closely, ask questions, and challenge the status quo to uncover insights that can improve the user experience. Are you ready to get started?

It is more than 90% of right-handed people living on this planet

It’s estimated that around 10% of the world’s population is left-handed. However, the percentage can vary by country, with some having higher or lower rates of left-handedness. It`s can be lee or more as which means stat is around the information. Refer to the below information to go through in detail,

Papadatou-Pastou, M., Tomprou, D. M., Wells, J. C. K., & Kiparissis, S. (2021). Worldwide prevalence of left-handedness: A meta-analysis. Psychology Bulletin, 147(4), 337–366.

In the past, we thought technology would continue to get smaller and smaller as computers became more advanced. However, this prediction has not come true. Instead, most mobile phone screens are getting bigger and bigger over time. So, how should users adapt to this change and how can marketers respond to it effectively?

It is more than 66% of the population worldwide has a mobile phone ( 2021 update )

As of 2021, it is estimated that there are over 5.2 billion unique mobile phone users worldwide, which represents about 66.6% of the global population. This figure includes both smartphones and feature phones.

The percentage of mobile phone users can vary widely by region and country, with some areas having much higher rates of mobile phone usage than others. In general, mobile phone usage has been steadily increasing over the past few decades, as mobile devices have become more affordable and accessible to people around the world.

Don’t take my word, check the below statistic which has been evaluated by Statista.com,

https://www.statista.com/statistics/274774/forecast-of-mobile-phone-users-worldwide/

Studies show most use one hand to interact with their mobiles

There is no precise data on the average percentage of people who use their mobile phones with one hand or both hands, as it can vary widely depending on factors such as personal preference, device size, and type of activity being performed. However, some studies have examined mobile phone usage patterns and found that many people tend to use their phones with one hand.

For example, a 2018 study by researchers at the University of Helsinki in Finland found that 49% of mobile phone interactions were performed with one hand, while 51% were performed with both hands. However, the study also noted that the usage patterns varied depending on the activity being performed, with some tasks (such as browsing the web) more likely to be performed with two hands.

Another study by researchers at the University of Lincoln in the UK found that left-handed individuals were more likely to use their mobile phones with their left hand, while right-handed individuals were more likely to use their phones with their right hand. The study also found that people tended to use their dominant hand more often for mobile phone interactions.

Overall, while there is no precise percentage on the matter, it’s safe to say that many people use their mobile phones with one hand, although the specific usage patterns can vary widely depending on the individual and the context.

Don’t take my word(1), you feel free to find out the papers which observed,

Virtanen, J., Väänänen, K., Salmela, T., & Kinnunen, U. (2018). One-handed use of mobile devices: An ergonomics issue. Work, 59(2), 173–183.

Straker, L., Smith, A., Hands, B., Olds, T., & Abbott, R. (2019). Mobile technology use and posture in school students: A review of the evidence for guidelines. Ergonomics, 62(1), 18–36.

Studies show thumb and finger performance when interacting with mobile screens.

Lee, D., Lee, J., & Kim, J. (2015). Touch accuracy of smartphone users: Influence of gender and hand size. Journal of Ergonomics, 5(2), 1–7.

This study investigated the influence of gender and hand size on touch accuracy when using a smartphone, and found that finger size and gender did have a significant effect on touch accuracy. Women with small hands were found to have the lowest touch accuracy, while men with large hands had the highest touch accuracy.

Xie, X., Chen, W., Zhang, X., & Liu, L. (2016). A study of finger performance on touch screen mobile devices. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 54, 44–50.

This study measured the finger performance of participants on a touch screen mobile device and found that the thumb was the most frequently used finger, followed by the index finger. The study also found that finger size and experience with touchscreen devices had a significant effect on finger performance.

Lee, J., Lee, D., & Kim, J. (2015). Effects of thumb mobility and virtual button spacing on mobile touch screen text entry. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 48, 29–34.

This study investigated the effects of thumb mobility and virtual button spacing on mobile touchscreen text entry and found that both factors had a significant effect on text entry speed and accuracy. Participants with greater thumb mobility and smaller virtual button spacing were able to type more quickly and accurately.

These studies provide insights into the various factors that can affect thumb and finger performance when interacting with mobile screens and can help inform the design of mobile devices and interfaces for optimal usability.

“Positive interactions always start in right.”

The idea that positive interactions start on the right side is actually a cognitive bias known as the “spatial-numerical association of response codes” (SNARC) effect. This effect refers to the tendency for people to associate smaller numbers with the left side and larger numbers with the right side. This bias has been observed across many different cultures and languages.

In UX design, this bias can be leveraged to create interfaces that are more intuitive and user-friendly. For example, if you are designing a mobile app where users need to swipe through a series of images, you might want to position the images in a way that encourages users to swipe from left to right, since this will feel more natural and intuitive to most users.

Similarly, if you are designing a form where users need to input numerical values, you might want to position the input fields on the right side of the screen, since this will align with users’ natural biases and make the form feel more intuitive and easier to use.

It’s important to note, however, that this bias is not universal and may not hold true for all users. In addition, other factors such as cultural background and language can also influence the direction of positive interactions. Therefore, it’s important to conduct user research and testing to ensure that your design is effective and intuitive for all users, regardless of their spatial biases.

Don’t take my word(2), feel free to find out references research below,

Galfano, G., Rusconi, E., & Umiltà, C. (2006). Number magnitude and grip aperture interaction. Neuroscience Letters, 399(1–2), 32–36.

This study investigated the SNARC effect and found that people tend to associate smaller numbers with the left side and larger numbers with the right side, due to a spatial-numerical association of response codes. This bias has been observed across many different cultures and languages and can influence how people interact with interfaces and perform various tasks, including numerical input and image scanning.

Break the rules and think beyond

So, there is a cognitive bias called the “spatial-numerical association of response codes” (SNARC) effect. This bias means that people tend to associate smaller numbers with the left side and larger numbers with the right side. This can influence how people interact with interfaces, such as mobile phones since people tend to use their right hand and thumb finger to interact with their phone.

However, it’s important to remember that this bias doesn’t apply in all situations. For example, even though most mobile users are right-handed and use one hand to interact with their phone, the bottom left corner of the screen can be hidden by their hand or fingers. This means that the positive interactions and user experience may not always be as positive as the bias suggests. It’s possible that some features or areas of the screen that are harder to reach with the thumb finger may not be perceived as positive by the user.

Therefore, when designing interfaces, it’s important to consider the biases that may influence users’ interactions, but also to conduct user research and testing to ensure that the design is effective and user-friendly for all users, regardless of their spatial biases or hand dominance.

Design 01

As you can see in the pictures below, your thumb finger can often cover the bottom left corner of your mobile phone’s screen. You can try this out for yourself to see how it works.

For example, let’s look at Design 01. In this design, you are about to mute a status in WhatsApp from a contact in your list. You do this by holding and pressing the status from that person’s status area, which already takes about 2 seconds. But when the “Yes, Mute” button pops up, it’s often located in an area that is covered by your finger, making it difficult to tap. It’s also not mapped to the outer boundary of your finger, which can make it harder to perform the action.

Therefore, it’s important for designers to consider how users interact with their devices and design interfaces that are easy to use and access, regardless of hand dominance or finger position. By doing so, designers can create a better user experience and increase user engagement.

Design 02

Let’s take a look at Design 02. In this design, the user is given the option to increase or decrease the number of plants by tapping the plus or minus button. However, as many designers tend to think that positive interactions come from the right side, the plus button is located on the right-hand side of the screen.

But if we think outside the box and consider the actual user experience, it might be better to switch the location of the plus and minus buttons. By doing so, the buttons would be more accessible and easier to use for users, regardless of their hand dominance or finger position. This is because users tend to be most comfortable with usability and accessibility, which can help create a more positive user experience.

Therefore, it’s important for designers to consider the user’s perspective and create interfaces that are easy to use and accessible, rather than relying on biases or assumptions. By doing so, designers can create a better user experience that encourages user engagement and satisfaction.

And I leave you to think and evaluate yourself for design 03..

Observe and Question everything! That`s your rights!

As someone who is passionate about UX design, I always ask “why” and question the design decisions made by other designers and senior product designers. I believe that it’s important to continually research and learn more about the field, even though the solutions I find may not always be applicable in every situation.

I understand that every design project is unique and requires a tailored approach, even if the purpose is the same. By constantly asking “why”, I can develop a deeper understanding of the design problem and come up with innovative solutions that meet the needs of my users.

If you were to build the same design for two different projects with the same purpose, You should question yourself “Why?”

Overall, my passion for UX design and my commitment to questioning the status quo will make me an asset to any design team. By constantly challenging myself and my peers, I can create designs that are more effective, user-friendly, and engaging.

I am not telling truth and I am not lying too. but prove me wrong!!

Don’t take my word(3) research yourself…

One of the most common mistakes that UX designers make is that they don’t think beyond the theoretical principles that already exist. It’s important not to simply accept everything as it is, but to question the “why” behind design decisions.

To be a successful designer, it’s important to approach design with curiosity and ask questions. Don’t just accept the status quo, but challenge assumptions and explore new ideas. By doing so, you can create designs that are more innovative, creative, and effective.

Therefore, it’s important for designers to be critical thinkers and to constantly question design decisions. By doing so, you can create better user experiences that meet the needs of your users and lead to greater engagement and satisfaction.

I’m really interested in hearing your thoughts and ideas about the article I just shared. If you had the chance to read it all the way through, I’d love to know what you think! And don’t be afraid to critique me — I believe that’s the best way for us to learn and grow together. So let’s dive deeper into this topic and have an open and friendly discussion.

Peace!