Rogue Rules That Prove Breaking Design Conventions Works

We all know the drill—design conventions are there to make life easier for users. They’re the unwritten rules that keep interfaces familiar and functional, like where to put a navigation bar or how buttons should behave. But sometimes, sticking to the rules means playing it too safe.

And let’s be honest: safe isn’t always memorable.

Some of the most iconic designs we know today came from people daring to ditch conventions. It’s risky, sure, but when done right, breaking the rules can spark curiosity, challenge expectations, and make your work stand out. Let’s talk about when, why, and how to bend the rules without losing the plot.

Why Rules Exist in the First Place

Think of design conventions as road signs. They help people navigate apps and websites without having to overthink. For example, we all expect the search icon to look like a magnifying glass, links to be underlined, and a logo to take us back to the homepage. These rules make interactions seamless and predictable.

But the flip side? Predictable can feel boring. Sometimes, you need to step outside the box to create something fresh and unforgettable. The trick is knowing when to break the rules—and how to do it without confusing the heck out of your users.

When Breaking the Rules Actually Works

Here are a few scenarios where stepping off the beaten path is worth it:

1. When You Want to Spark Curiosity
   People love surprises (the good kind, anyway). Breaking a convention can create intrigue and make users explore. Think back to when Snapchat first launched. There were no clear instructions or labeled buttons—it felt like you were solving a fun little puzzle. That sense of discovery hooked users and made the app feel like an adventure.

   
   

2. When the Rule Feels Outdated
   Not all conventions deserve to stay. Remember the days of physical keyboards on phones? Apple shattered that standard with the first iPhone, introducing a touchscreen keyboard. It was a gamble, but it made typing feel futuristic and sleek instead of clunky.

   
   

3. When You Want to Stand Out
   Following conventions might keep things “safe,” but it also makes everything look the same. Airbnb is a great example of flipping the script. Instead of the usual boring grids of hotel options, they focused on people. Their interface showcased vibrant images of homes and hosts, turning the experience into something personal and warm.

How to Break the Rules Without Breaking Everything

1. Start by Understanding the Rule
   Before you break a rule, you need to know why it exists. If it’s solving a real problem—like making navigation easier—be careful. But if it’s just a “this is how we’ve always done it” situation, that’s your green light.

   
   

2. Test It Like Crazy
   Breaking a rule doesn’t mean ignoring usability. You need to make sure your audience “gets it.” If your new design leaves people scratching their heads, it’s back to the drawing board.

   
   

3. Balance Familiarity with Innovation
   Think of it like seasoning—break one or two rules, but don’t go overboard. Tesla’s car interface is a good example. They ditched physical buttons for a minimalist screen but kept familiar elements like speedometers to ground users in something they recognize.

   
   

4. Be Open to Iteration
   Not every experiment will land, and that’s okay. Rule-breaking is a process. Sometimes, you need to tweak or even backtrack before you hit the sweet spot.

Real-Life Wins: Rule-Breakers That Paid Off

1. Google’s Bare-Bones Homepage
   Back in the day, search engine homepages were cluttered messes—links, ads, weather widgets, you name it. Google stripped it all away, leaving just a search bar and a logo. It felt bold, but that simplicity became their signature.

   
   

2. Medium’s Infinite Scroll
   Blogs used to be paginated, forcing readers to click “Next” every few paragraphs. Medium ditched that for infinite scrolling, making reading feel seamless and uninterrupted. Simple move, big impact.

Take This With You

Breaking design conventions isn’t about being a rebel for the sake of it—it’s about asking, “Does this rule still make sense?” If the answer is no, don’t be afraid to shake things up. Just remember: always put your users first.

A bold design might get attention, but if it’s not functional, it’s just noise.

So, go ahead. Break a rule, bend a few, and see where it takes you. Who knows? You might just design the next big thing.