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Designing Experiences + Sharing Knowledge

With over a decade of experience designing exceptional user experiences across diverse digital platforms, I am passionate about not only creating intuitive and engaging designs but also sharing my knowledge. I strive to empower fellow designers by keeping them informed on the latest UX trends and innovations.

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Understanding the Doherty Threshold and Its Benefits in UX Design

The Doherty Threshold, introduced in 1982 by Walter J. Doherty and Ahrvind J. Thadani, states that system response times should be under 400 milliseconds to keep users engaged and productive. When a system responds within this time frame, users feel a seamless interaction, maintaining focus and efficiency.
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Benefits of the Doherty Threshold in UX Design

    1. Improved User Engagement – Faster response times prevent frustration and keep users actively interacting with the system.
    2. Increased Productivity – Users can complete tasks more efficiently without unnecessary delays.
    3. Enhanced Perceived Performance – Even if actual processing takes longer, UI tricks like loading animations or progress indicators can create the illusion of speed.
    4. Reduced Abandonment Rates – A laggy experience leads to drop-offs, but meeting the Doherty Threshold encourages users to stay and complete tasks.


How to Implement It in UX Design

    • Optimize load times to stay below 400ms.
    • Use asynchronous loading for smoother interactions.
    • Provide instant feedback (e.g., button states, loading indicators).
    • Minimize unnecessary delays in form submissions and transitions.

LinkedIn displays skeleton previews while loading content, keeping users engaged rather than staring at a blank screen.

By aligning with the Doherty Threshold, UX designers can create more responsive, intuitive, and user-friendly experiences that keep users engaged and satisfied.