UI/UX Principles #9: Flow

Flow describes the mental state of complete concentration and joy during an activity. Psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi discovered: Flow emerges when difficulty and ability are perfectly balanced.

Practical Application: Define clear goals, provide immediate feedback, eliminate friction. Too difficult frustrates, too simple bores. The sweet spot keeps users engaged without overwhelming them.

Result: Users lose sense of time, work more efficiently, experience satisfaction. Apps that enable flow show longer sessions and higher retention rates.