Most people don’t think about UX when they’re running errands or catching a train. But as a UX designer, I can’t help but see it everywhere. The way a grocery store is laid out, the way a subway map is designed, even the way a restaurant menu is structured, all of these are UX in action. And the lessons hidden in these everyday experiences? They can transform the way digital products are designed.

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The Grocery Store Checkout: Friction Kills Sales

Ever walked into a store, grabbed a few items, and then abandoned your cart because the checkout line was too long? That’s friction. And in digital products, friction kills conversions just as fast. If a SaaS signup process is too complicated or an onboarding flow feels like a chore, users drop off. The best digital experiences remove unnecessary steps, just like self-checkout lanes and express lines aim to do in physical stores.

Make it effortless for users to complete their goals. Simplify, reduce friction, and give users a clear, fast path to action.

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Public Transport: Clear Signage = Happy Users

Navigating an unfamiliar subway system can be a nightmare, or a breeze, depending on how well it’s designed. The best transport systems anticipate user needs: clear signage, logical routes, and intuitive wayfinding. Now think about how this applies to digital interfaces.

Users should never feel lost in your app. They need clear navigation, a logical structure, and well-placed cues guiding them toward their next step. If someone has to stop and think, "Wait, where do I go from here?", you’ve got a problem.

Guide users with clarity. Don’t make them guess where to go or what to do next.

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Restaurant Menus: The Power of Choice Architecture

Ever noticed how menus subtly steer you toward certain choices? The most profitable dishes are often highlighted, placed in prime positions, or framed by enticing descriptions. This is choice architecture in action.

In digital design, how you present choices impacts user behavior. Too many options can lead to decision paralysis. On the flip side, a well-structured information hierarchy nudges users toward the right actions, whether it’s selecting a plan in a SaaS pricing page or choosing the right feature inside an app.

Structure choices strategically. Guide users toward decisions that benefit them (and your business) without overwhelming them.

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The Psychology of Door Handles: Affordances and Intuition

Ever pushed a door that was meant to be pulled? That’s a UX fail in the real world. Door handles communicate affordances, their design tells you how to use them. A horizontal bar? Push. A vertical handle? Pull. When the design doesn’t match user expectations, frustration follows.

The same applies to digital products. If a button looks clickable, it should be. If a form field looks like a dropdown, users shouldn’t be surprised when it isn’t. Digital interfaces should feel as intuitive as well-designed physical objects.

Design should communicate function. If users have to think too hard about how something works, the design has failed.

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The Best UX Is Almost Invisible

The most successful real-world experiences, whether in a store, a transit system, or a restaurant, are the ones we barely notice because they just work. The same should be true for digital products. A great UX doesn’t call attention to itself; it makes the experience seamless, intuitive, and even enjoyable.

So next time you’re out in the world, pay attention. Every frustration you feel and every delight you experience holds a UX lesson. And if we apply those lessons to our digital products, we create experiences that don’t just function, they feel effortless.

And effortless experiences? Those are the ones users keep coming back to.