In today’s episode of #FixTheForms, a handy UI tip from @joelanman.bsky.social
UI tip: don't restrict input fields so they don't respond to input (max length for example).
Much better that people get validation messages telling them what is wrong. Plus they might be pasting something they then edit down.
Silently refusing input is an anti pattern
Much better that people get validation messages telling them what is wrong. Plus they might be pasting something they then edit down.
Silently refusing input is an anti pattern
February 16, 2025 at 7:05 PM
In today’s episode of #FixTheForms, a handy UI tip from @joelanman.bsky.social
One for @cjforms.bsky.social’s ever-growing #FixTheForms collection, of course.
May 1, 2025 at 10:07 AM
One for @cjforms.bsky.social’s ever-growing #FixTheForms collection, of course.
In today’s episode of #FixTheForms, @cakedesignstudio.bsky.social points out a major challenge of phone-based 2-factor authentication
Business banking mobile app: "No longer have access to your mobile device and want to replace with this current one?"
Me: "Yes, that is exactly the situation and what I want to do!"
BBMP: "You'll just need your password, and the SMS code we've sent to the mobile we have on record for you."
Me: 🤦♀️
Me: "Yes, that is exactly the situation and what I want to do!"
BBMP: "You'll just need your password, and the SMS code we've sent to the mobile we have on record for you."
Me: 🤦♀️
2-factor authentication by email plus SMS is all very well, as long as you haven't lost your phone, and are trying to sort that out! 😅
Uber, AirBnB, Apple, 02 👀 looking at you! I'm sure this goes for many, many other comps too.
#UCD #UserCentredDesign #ServiceDesign #Digital #UnhappyPath #EdgeCase
Uber, AirBnB, Apple, 02 👀 looking at you! I'm sure this goes for many, many other comps too.
#UCD #UserCentredDesign #ServiceDesign #Digital #UnhappyPath #EdgeCase
February 22, 2025 at 12:37 PM
In today’s episode of #FixTheForms, @cakedesignstudio.bsky.social points out a major challenge of phone-based 2-factor authentication
Because it’s boring to #FixTheForms when there more exciting things to spend money on - such as, anything else
May 1, 2025 at 6:34 AM
Because it’s boring to #FixTheForms when there more exciting things to spend money on - such as, anything else
In today’s episode of #FixTheForms, @adamsilverhq.bsky.social explains the uselessness of the asterisk required field indicator
“Should you mark required fields with a red asterisk?”
In 2008 I worked on a bunch of e-commerce sites like Boots, Argos and Homebase.
We marked required fields with a little red asterisk.
It’s clean.
It’s conventional.
It’s what everyone else did.
But we never ran usability tests...
In 2008 I worked on a bunch of e-commerce sites like Boots, Argos and Homebase.
We marked required fields with a little red asterisk.
It’s clean.
It’s conventional.
It’s what everyone else did.
But we never ran usability tests...
March 5, 2025 at 12:26 PM
In today’s episode of #FixTheForms, @adamsilverhq.bsky.social explains the uselessness of the asterisk required field indicator
In today’s episode of #FixTheForms, @bradfrost.com rants about login codes
As does @adamsilverhq.bsky.social
And @iknowdavehouse.bsky.social
We all loathe them. Why do they persist?
As does @adamsilverhq.bsky.social
And @iknowdavehouse.bsky.social
We all loathe them. Why do they persist?
✏️ ✏️ I wrote a quick little rant about the awful UX of login codes.
The UX of login codes
I could do a deep dive into the UX of login codes, but I'll do my best to keep it short. If your product texts/emails login codes, the experience better be amazing.
Bad
The text/email neve...
bradfrost.com
January 14, 2025 at 6:32 PM
In today’s episode of #FixTheForms, @bradfrost.com rants about login codes
As does @adamsilverhq.bsky.social
And @iknowdavehouse.bsky.social
We all loathe them. Why do they persist?
As does @adamsilverhq.bsky.social
And @iknowdavehouse.bsky.social
We all loathe them. Why do they persist?
Today’s episode of #FixTheForms is an especially brilliant one from @xkcd.com that applies to all registration forms and all websites
xkcd.com/3175/
xkcd.com/3175/
Website Task Flowchart
xkcd.com
December 1, 2025 at 10:16 PM
Today’s episode of #FixTheForms is an especially brilliant one from @xkcd.com that applies to all registration forms and all websites
xkcd.com/3175/
xkcd.com/3175/
Today's episode of #FixTheForms is from @martinjordan.com
Pro tip: "Country of your passport" is definitely NOT the same thing (for many people) as "Country of residence".
Pro tip: "Country of your passport" is definitely NOT the same thing (for many people) as "Country of residence".
What serious problems this form field may cause:
When booking tickets with the Swedish night train Snälltåget, you’re asked for your “country of residence”.
However, it also asks for the country of issue on your passport.
These are very different things.
👇🏻
Ask 1 thing at a time.
Test your forms!
When booking tickets with the Swedish night train Snälltåget, you’re asked for your “country of residence”.
However, it also asks for the country of issue on your passport.
These are very different things.
👇🏻
Ask 1 thing at a time.
Test your forms!
May 1, 2025 at 10:19 AM
Today's episode of #FixTheForms is from @martinjordan.com
Pro tip: "Country of your passport" is definitely NOT the same thing (for many people) as "Country of residence".
Pro tip: "Country of your passport" is definitely NOT the same thing (for many people) as "Country of residence".
Today's episode of #FixTheForms comes from @martinjordan.com, who is grumpy about scrolling back through the months to get to his date of birth.
(German government forms)
(German government forms)
One of my least favourite activities using government #forms: Having to scroll through decades to put my date of birth — instead of just being able to type it.
Also, doing it twice because when you hit “done,” the day isn’t right yet.
#FixTheForms, Berlin!
Also, doing it twice because when you hit “done,” the day isn’t right yet.
#FixTheForms, Berlin!
January 20, 2025 at 10:05 PM
Today's episode of #FixTheForms comes from @martinjordan.com, who is grumpy about scrolling back through the months to get to his date of birth.
(German government forms)
(German government forms)
In today’s episode of #FixTheForms, a reminder that layering Robotic Process Automation (RPA) on top of (in this case) 8 separate IT systems that are terrifyingly outdated isn’t fixing anything.
It’s adding another layer to the nightmare.
Visualise it.
xkcd.com/2347/
It’s adding another layer to the nightmare.
Visualise it.
xkcd.com/2347/
April 21, 2025 at 10:50 AM
In today’s episode of #FixTheForms, a reminder that layering Robotic Process Automation (RPA) on top of (in this case) 8 separate IT systems that are terrifyingly outdated isn’t fixing anything.
It’s adding another layer to the nightmare.
Visualise it.
xkcd.com/2347/
It’s adding another layer to the nightmare.
Visualise it.
xkcd.com/2347/
Bonus episode of #FixTheForms today - I’m going to be @webdevconf.com in October.
Thrilled to be invited.
Thrilled to be invited.
@alexolder.com and I launched the full @webdevconf.com site last night (and almost full lineup). It's going to be an absolute banger.
webdevconf.com
webdevconf.com
WDC2026 - October 9 2026, Watershed, Bristol, UK | Web Developers Conference
WDC is the web design and development conference based in Bristol, taking place in autumn each year.
webdevconf.com
June 9, 2026 at 9:00 AM
Bonus episode of #FixTheForms today - I’m going to be @webdevconf.com in October.
Thrilled to be invited.
Thrilled to be invited.
In today’s episode of #FixTheForms, @heydonworks.bsky.social struggles through multiple layers of technology and authentication to get to …
… nope, no spoilers. Read the thread.
… nope, no spoilers. Read the thread.
I have to make an appointment with an NHS hospital. The way this works is as follows:
1. The NHS text my phone telling me I will soon receive appointment information. In this email, I am told I can manage my appointments using their app
2. So I download the app.
3. After installing the app...
1. The NHS text my phone telling me I will soon receive appointment information. In this email, I am told I can manage my appointments using their app
2. So I download the app.
3. After installing the app...
January 16, 2025 at 7:45 PM
In today’s episode of #FixTheForms, @heydonworks.bsky.social struggles through multiple layers of technology and authentication to get to …
… nope, no spoilers. Read the thread.
… nope, no spoilers. Read the thread.
In today’s episode of #FixTheForms,
instead of actually fixing the form, someone is throwing AI into a highly confidential interview to deal with 30-plus pages of paperwork
Pro tip: fix forms, don’t add complex technology to them instead
instead of actually fixing the form, someone is throwing AI into a highly confidential interview to deal with 30-plus pages of paperwork
Pro tip: fix forms, don’t add complex technology to them instead
I’m quite unconvinced on this.
Either a 30-35 page form is actually collecting necessary information - in which case I’d rather it wasn’t filled in using transcription software - or it isn’t, which in case cut down the form.
Either a 30-35 page form is actually collecting necessary information - in which case I’d rather it wasn’t filled in using transcription software - or it isn’t, which in case cut down the form.
We sent a forward-deployed AI engineer to prison.
He’s not a criminal - he’s been creating tools that are massively saving staff time and are now being rolled out across the Prison Service.
The No10 Innovation Fellows were set up to do exactly this - helping us to move fast and fix things.
He’s not a criminal - he’s been creating tools that are massively saving staff time and are now being rolled out across the Prison Service.
The No10 Innovation Fellows were set up to do exactly this - helping us to move fast and fix things.
July 13, 2026 at 12:45 PM
In today’s episode of #FixTheForms,
instead of actually fixing the form, someone is throwing AI into a highly confidential interview to deal with 30-plus pages of paperwork
Pro tip: fix forms, don’t add complex technology to them instead
instead of actually fixing the form, someone is throwing AI into a highly confidential interview to deal with 30-plus pages of paperwork
Pro tip: fix forms, don’t add complex technology to them instead
In a lovely episode of #FixTheForms, @martinjordan.com’s team exploit the super-fast prototype turnaround times available when working in an obscure but cheap technology.
March 13, 2025 at 9:36 PM
In a lovely episode of #FixTheForms, @martinjordan.com’s team exploit the super-fast prototype turnaround times available when working in an obscure but cheap technology.
A corker of an episode of #FixTheForms here from @priyanca.bsky.social
Everything is wrong with it at all layers
- interaction design (the NO target is as close to the YES response as it is to the NO response) ...
- content design (reminder: no yes/no questions)
...
(1/2)
Everything is wrong with it at all layers
- interaction design (the NO target is as close to the YES response as it is to the NO response) ...
- content design (reminder: no yes/no questions)
...
(1/2)
This doesn't seem like a yes no question. Phrased in a strange way
These statements in all caps feel like the questions are being shouted at you
Also the form is meant to be for neurodivergent people
This is only the beginning 🫠
These statements in all caps feel like the questions are being shouted at you
Also the form is meant to be for neurodivergent people
This is only the beginning 🫠
April 14, 2025 at 4:25 PM
A corker of an episode of #FixTheForms here from @priyanca.bsky.social
Everything is wrong with it at all layers
- interaction design (the NO target is as close to the YES response as it is to the NO response) ...
- content design (reminder: no yes/no questions)
...
(1/2)
Everything is wrong with it at all layers
- interaction design (the NO target is as close to the YES response as it is to the NO response) ...
- content design (reminder: no yes/no questions)
...
(1/2)
Today I’m also going to try to #FixTheForms rather than mangle my own tag
In today’s episode of #FixThrForms, @joelanman.bsky.social celebrates an idea we are both very proud of - and that took a surprisingly large amount of work by many folks to make happen.
Extra-large radio button and check box targets on GOV.UK. Quicker for everyone and more accessible.
Extra-large radio button and check box targets on GOV.UK. Quicker for everyone and more accessible.
One of the things I'm proud to have been involved with - great big radios and checkboxes on GOV.UK, in collaboration with @cjforms.bsky.social and others
designnotes.blog.gov.uk/2016/11/30/w...
designnotes.blog.gov.uk/2016/11/30/w...
March 1, 2025 at 7:34 PM
Today I’m also going to try to #FixTheForms rather than mangle my own tag
In today’s episode of #FixTheForms, a fine example of a very poor way of getting paper forms to people who don’t have Internet access
I've worked with lots of excellent people in local government. I just wish they hadn't all burned out or been driven away.
May 16, 2025 at 9:18 AM
In today’s episode of #FixTheForms, a fine example of a very poor way of getting paper forms to people who don’t have Internet access
In today’s episode of #FixTheForms, take the time to listen to this talk (in English) from folks in Germany
Note focus shared between form stakeholders, users and processors
Note lack of “this new form building tool magically made the forms better”
Thanks @paulpistorius.bsky.social and Julian
Note focus shared between form stakeholders, users and processors
Note lack of “this new form building tool magically made the forms better”
Thanks @paulpistorius.bsky.social and Julian
What does it need for a good form to emerge?
You need to involve the right parties in the #formDesign process right from the start.
📺 Here’s the ‘Triangle of Success’ talk my colleagues Julian & @paulpistorius.bsky.social shared at Code for America’s #FormFest:
youtu.be/th9iNKBmGe0?...
#GovDesign
You need to involve the right parties in the #formDesign process right from the start.
📺 Here’s the ‘Triangle of Success’ talk my colleagues Julian & @paulpistorius.bsky.social shared at Code for America’s #FormFest:
youtu.be/th9iNKBmGe0?...
#GovDesign
December 18, 2024 at 10:56 AM
In today’s episode of #FixTheForms, take the time to listen to this talk (in English) from folks in Germany
Note focus shared between form stakeholders, users and processors
Note lack of “this new form building tool magically made the forms better”
Thanks @paulpistorius.bsky.social and Julian
Note focus shared between form stakeholders, users and processors
Note lack of “this new form building tool magically made the forms better”
Thanks @paulpistorius.bsky.social and Julian
Bonus episode of #FixTheForms today.
"Please check you have completed this form in full."
Sweetie, you asked me for my fax number. I haven't had a fax number in at least 15 years.
"Please check you have completed this form in full."
Sweetie, you asked me for my fax number. I haven't had a fax number in at least 15 years.
August 13, 2026 at 4:09 PM
Bonus episode of #FixTheForms today.
"Please check you have completed this form in full."
Sweetie, you asked me for my fax number. I haven't had a fax number in at least 15 years.
"Please check you have completed this form in full."
Sweetie, you asked me for my fax number. I haven't had a fax number in at least 15 years.
An especially fine episode of #FixTheForms today
Interaction design: no problem
Content design: perfectly ok
Service design: hilariously poor
Thanks for this @rachelcoldicutt.bsky.social
Interaction design: no problem
Content design: perfectly ok
Service design: hilariously poor
Thanks for this @rachelcoldicutt.bsky.social
A classic of the genre: "Your beautiful gift has been left by the bins."
June 2, 2025 at 9:05 PM
An especially fine episode of #FixTheForms today
Interaction design: no problem
Content design: perfectly ok
Service design: hilariously poor
Thanks for this @rachelcoldicutt.bsky.social
Interaction design: no problem
Content design: perfectly ok
Service design: hilariously poor
Thanks for this @rachelcoldicutt.bsky.social
In today’s episode of #FixTheForms, @priyanca.bsky.social battles with a perennial problem: badly-designed and badly-implemented “validation” on names
Pro tip: names can include punctuation or spaces.
Pro tip: names can include punctuation or spaces.
Filling in a form and being told my last name is 'invalid'. There is punctuation in my surname on my ID so when I do the checks the names will not be the same. Adds an extra layer of anxiety
January 22, 2026 at 10:55 AM
In today’s episode of #FixTheForms, @priyanca.bsky.social battles with a perennial problem: badly-designed and badly-implemented “validation” on names
Pro tip: names can include punctuation or spaces.
Pro tip: names can include punctuation or spaces.
In today’s episode of #FixTheForms, an extreme example of dedication to sorting an annoying form
Note for #GovDesign folks: I estimate this person took between 2 and 5 years to fix this form. 2 years is a super-speedy fix for us.
Note for #GovDesign folks: I estimate this person took between 2 and 5 years to fix this form. 2 years is a super-speedy fix for us.
I got my degree out of spite. An online form my employer used was shite and they wouldn't fix it so I started a part time degree course in Computer Science then did a placement through work in the Web team. First thing I did was fix that fucking form.
March 3, 2025 at 7:56 PM
In today’s episode of #FixTheForms, an extreme example of dedication to sorting an annoying form
Note for #GovDesign folks: I estimate this person took between 2 and 5 years to fix this form. 2 years is a super-speedy fix for us.
Note for #GovDesign folks: I estimate this person took between 2 and 5 years to fix this form. 2 years is a super-speedy fix for us.
We're filling in the Disability Living Allowance form at the moment. It's a long, complicated, 40 page form with 32 pages of accompanying guidance and examples. Except none of the examples are filled in. Thanks, DWP
You can see this for yourself at assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6735e4...
You can see this for yourself at assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6735e4...
June 24, 2025 at 1:53 PM
A slightly different #FixTheForms today from @steveportigal.bsky.social
It’s the help equivalent of “lorum ipsum”
Pro tip: test those phone numbers
It’s the help equivalent of “lorum ipsum”
Pro tip: test those phone numbers
#FormsUsingDefaults
Your response has been recorded. We will contact you as soon as possible. You may always contact us directly at 123-456-7890 for faster service.
Your response has been recorded. We will contact you as soon as possible. You may always contact us directly at 123-456-7890 for faster service.
July 20, 2025 at 4:08 PM
A slightly different #FixTheForms today from @steveportigal.bsky.social
It’s the help equivalent of “lorum ipsum”
Pro tip: test those phone numbers
It’s the help equivalent of “lorum ipsum”
Pro tip: test those phone numbers
Here’s a great #FixTheForms piece, on the assumption that digital is immediately better than paper in modern services. (Also the usual cautionary tale about building stuff without research, etc)
Also this article, by Hana Schank and Tara Dawson McGuinness, about attempts to digitize the US immigration system that failed by not taking into account how users use paper.
slate.com/technology/2...
slate.com/technology/2...
What Happened When the U.S. Government Tried to Make the Immigration System Digital
One field office made a video of themselves kicking a computer with “ELIS,” as the digital system was named, taped to it on paper.
slate.com
March 17, 2025 at 7:42 AM
Here’s a great #FixTheForms piece, on the assumption that digital is immediately better than paper in modern services. (Also the usual cautionary tale about building stuff without research, etc)