Design principle from the famous Akbar and Birbal Stories
Sona
Sep 30, 2018
Often, the bedtime stories that I read to my kid explain one or the other design principle so efficiently and effortlessly that even a five-year-old can understand.
Here’s one such story that explains the second usability heuristic:
“Speak the user’s language.”
Once, famous musicians gathered at Akbar’s court for a musical competition.
There was a bull standing in the middle of the court. Akbar entered the court and announced that the one who captures the bull’s attention would be declared the winner.
One by one, the musicians played the most mesmerizing music. But, the bull did not pay any attention.
Then came Birbal’s turn. He played the mooing of cows and the droning of mosquitoes. The other musicians made fun of him as he was not a musician and he did not play the best music.
But, to everyone’s surprise, the bull started to move happily to Birbal’s music.
Akbar declared Birbal, the winner.
No matter how good the design is, it’s not going to solve the problem unless it speaks the user’s language.
The story of a man, his son, and their donkey.
A popular fable that has been passed down through generations. I very much relate to this story.
The secret is to work less as individuals and more as a team.
Teamwork and collaboration can lead to greater success and productivity than individual efforts. "The secret is to work less as individuals and more as a team. As a coach, I play not my eleven best, but my best eleven." says Knute Rockne.
My kid’s star reward experience
This challenge was one that every parent has likely experienced, and I was no exception. Nevertheless, I was able to overcome it with this.