Designing forms that actually work
This work informed the development of a form concept for a large public administration – available [here↗] as a PDF in white-labeled format, as the project isn't live yet – as well as learning videos I created for CMS authors at Canton Aargau to help them build better forms. Below, I've illustrated the key principles with some general examples to demonstrate how they translate into practice.
Consistency – Place the same elements in the same position every time: labels above inputs (no floating labels), the back link in the top left, and the primary action first. This reduces cognitive load and prevents key actions from being cut off on mobile.
Clarity – Tooltips force users to decide whether information applies to them, and placeholders can be mistaken for real input or disappear while typing. If information is relevant to everyone, show it as hint text between the label and the input. If it’s only relevant to some users, make it collapsible and clearly state who it’s for.
Clarity – Make errors impossible to miss. Highlight the problem clearly, place the message above the input so it is not cut off on mobile, and explain exactly what needs to be fixed.
Simplicity – Dropdowns are complex controls: they require extra interaction, hide options, and can be difficult to use with screen readers. If there are up to 7–10 options, use radio buttons or checkboxes instead.
Simplicity – The same applies to dates and times. Dropdowns are rarely the best choice. Use text inputs instead and trigger the numeric keyboard on mobile to reduce effort and errors.
Simplicity – Break long or complex forms into smaller steps. Focus on one task at a time and give users a clear sense of progress, so they always know where they are and what’s left to do.