Dec 16, 2025
The UX Speed Challenge
Can you feel the difference? Complete the same task in both versions and see how micro-frictions impact your speed.
Version A
0.00s
Version B
0.00s
Why this matters
Every extra click, every missing shortcut, every unoptimized interaction adds up. In isolation, each friction seems minor. Combined, they create a measurably slower — and more frustrating — experience.
The compound effect
If each friction adds just 0.5 seconds:
| Frictions | Time added | Daily impact (100 uses) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0.5s | 50 seconds |
| 3 | 1.5s | 2.5 minutes |
| 5 | 2.5s | 4+ minutes |
Now multiply this across your entire user base.
The psychological cost
Beyond raw time, bad UX creates:
- Cognitive load — Users must think about how to use the interface instead of what they want to do
- Frustration — Small annoyances accumulate into negative brand perception
- Errors — More steps = more opportunities for mistakes
Key takeaways
- Auto-focus inputs when a modal opens — users expect to type immediately
- Support multiple dismissal methods — X button, click outside, Escape key
- Provide copy buttons — don’t make users select text manually
- Auto-submit when possible — if you have all the data, why wait for a click?
Learn more
Explore the individual patterns demonstrated in this challenge: