ARTICLE SUMMARY: Trust is earned, not given is a powerful principle that applies across personal relationships, professional dynamics, leadership, design, branding, and more. At its essence, this phrase means trust must be earned through actions, consistency, and integrity over time.
In UX design trust is foundational, without it, even the most beautiful interface or clever interaction falls flat. Without trust users hesitate to engage or participate, not because your design looks bad, but because it does not feel safe.
“UX, how can I trust you?” by Darren Yeo explores the root causes behind today’s widespread distrust and revealing how even UX design hasn’t escaped the growing skepticism. His discussion covers:
- The Two Forms of Mistrust in Design
- Designers as the Architects of Trust
- Trust is earned, not built
While deceptive patterns can boost user growth temporarily, they ultimately erode trust. Their long-term impact can harm individuals and communities, undermining the integrity of the product and the relationship between user and brand. Rebuilding trust is incredibly difficult, sometimes impossible.
Darren Yeo reminds us that “Trust is not a feature. It is the outcome of consistently honest design practices. Earn it.”
This article isn’t just for designers, it’s a meaningful read for anyone navigating the digital world.
