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UX Atlas
Research methodCraft conventionFoundational

Five-Second Test

Showing a design briefly and asking what people remember, which tests hierarchy and clarity of message.

Definition

Participants view a design for about five seconds, then answer questions about what they saw and what they think it is for. It measures first impression and visual hierarchy rather than usability.

Craft convention. True because the industry converged on it. Breaking it costs familiarity, not correctness.

On this page
  1. Definition
  2. Questions worth asking afterwards
  3. Continue from here

Questions worth asking afterwards

  • What is this page for?
  • What could you do here?
  • What stood out most?
  • Who is this for?

Continue from here

Each link says what the connection is, so you can tell a principle from an alternative from a thing people mix this up with.

Applies when you are designing

A Pricing Page

Principles behind this

The reasoning this solution is an application of.

Often used with

These usually appear in the same screen or the same decision.

Related concept

Connected closely enough to change how you apply this.