Design is the Way Out: Lessons from London’s Underground

If you’ve ever taken the Tube in London, chances are you’ve seen the glowing yellow "WAY OUT" signs guiding you through the chaos. Loud crowds, packed tunnels, endless transfers, and yet, one simple phrase offers clarity. That’s user experience design (UX) in its purest form: guidance when users need it most.

At Bona Agency, we often talk about user centered design as something digital, buttons, flows, onboarding screens. But great UX principles are everywhere, even in 150 year old metro systems! The London Underground isn’t just moving people, it’s managing emotions: anxiety, urgency, fatigue. Sounds a lot like your average product launch, doesn’t it?

Let’s break down why "WAY OUT" is great UX, and how we bring that same clarity into the products we design.

1. UX design should always provide clarity, not complexity

People don’t want options, they want answers. In high pressure moments, clarity is king. The "WAY OUT" sign doesn’t explain the full architecture of the station, it points to what matters. That’s the job of great user experience strategy: anticipate the user’s next move and remove the guesswork.

When we design MVPs or full scale platforms, we ask: Where is the user likely to get stuck? What’s the equivalent of the exit sign? Then we build that right into the interface.

2. UX is not just visual, it’s emotional

A great user interface doesn’t just show information, it reassures. In a crowded subway, seeing that “WAY OUT” sign reduces stress. In a new app, knowing exactly where to click gives users confidence. Design is emotional.

This is why we prioritize micro interactions, accessibility, and clear visual hierarchy in everything we ship. Because when the stakes are high, whether it’s finding the exit or launching a product, people don’t want to explore. They want direction.

3. Good design doesn’t show off, it shows the way

The Tube isn’t “aesthetic”, it’s effective. And that’s a lesson more digital products should learn. Clean interfaces, clear labels, meaningful CTAs, these are the digital “WAY OUT” signs. A conversion focused UX is not about showing everything, it’s about showing the right thing at the right time.

Our process is built around clarity first product design. No fluff. No guesswork. Just streamlined journeys that make users feel like they’re moving, because they are.

So… what’s your WAY OUT?

If your product feels like a maze, if your users are dropping off halfway through the journey, it’s not a feature problem, it’s a UX problem. You need signposts, flow, momentum. You need to design with purpose.

At Bona, we take founders from messy product ideas to elegant, clear experiences. Because building something great isn’t about adding more, it’s about showing the way.

Schedule a free 20-minute call here. We’ll audit your product experience and show you how to turn users into loyal users.