Flag

We stand with Ukraine and our team members from Ukraine. Here are ways you can help

Get exclusive access to thought-provoking articles, bonus podcast content, and cutting-edge whitepapers. Become a member of the UX Magazine community today!

Home ›› Accessibility ›› ATM Interfaces, Multiples of 20, and Too Many Buttons #wtfUX

ATM Interfaces, Multiples of 20, and Too Many Buttons #wtfUX

by Daniel Brown
1 min read
Share this post on
Tweet
Share
Post
Share
Email
Print

Save

Dear ATM machine, if I can only take out money in $20 increments, why are you presenting me with 1,3,5,7 and 9 buttons?

According to this ATM machine, I must specify a withdrawal amount in increments of $20.

Even so, I am allowed to press the the 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 keys (for whatever reason) and must specify that I want “00” cents despite the inability of any ATM machine to dispense coins.

ATM UX fail

Machines that display presets of $20, $40, $60, $80, or $100 offer a single tap to achieve an effectively error-proof task. This machine requires unnecessary cognitive load and a gauntlet of error possibilities. Not to mention the Over-Zealous Capitalization In The Instruction Line.

 

Keep these coming. Send them to us via Twitter or Facebook using the hastag #wtfUX or email them to: [email protected] with “#wtfUX” in the subject line. Include as much context as you can, so we get a full understanding of what the f%*k went wrong. Image of $20 bills courtesy Shutterstock.

post authorDaniel Brown

Daniel Brown
Daniel has spent the past 20 years in software companies both large and small. From web design and development for a “boutique” web design firm to Evangelism for Adobe Systems, to helping budding startup companies get a foothold in the market, he’s worn a variety of “hats". Daniel has spoken at a variety of events worldwide including the Sundance Film Festival, Anderson Ranch Arts Center, Santa Fe Digital Workshops, and the Pacific Imaging Center in Hawaii on the topics of web design, digital imaging, photography, and user experience. Daniel currently serves as the head of the interface and user experience department at a small medical software company in Providence, Rhode Island.

Tweet
Share
Post
Share
Email
Print

Related Articles

AI that always agrees? Over-alignment might be the hidden danger, reinforcing your misconceptions and draining your mind. Learn why this subtle failure mode is more harmful than you think — and how we can fix it.

Article by Bernard Fitzgerald
Introducing Over-Alignment
  • The article explores over-alignment — a failure mode where AI overly validates users’ assumptions, reinforcing false beliefs.
  • It shows how this feedback loop can cause cognitive fatigue, emotional strain, and professional harm.
  • The piece calls for AI systems to balance empathy with critical feedback to prevent these risks.
Share:Introducing Over-Alignment
4 min read

Figma adds AI and new tools to stay on top, but its future faces big risks.

Article by Alex Smith
Figma takes on all of the competition in the age of AI
  • This article provides and overview and perspective on how Figma is leveling up its tools — adding AI, website publishing, and advanced drawing so designers can do more in one place.

  • They’re going after big competitors like Adobe, Canva, and Webflow by making Figma’s platform a “one-stop shop” for design and marketing work.

  • This author believes that despite the AI hype, Figma isn’t dying — they’re adapting fast to keep users happy and stay on top.

  • The big risk is the future — if Figma goes public and raises prices, they could become like Adobe (huge but expensive) or risk losing users to the next big, more intuitive design tool.

Share:Figma takes on all of the competition in the age of AI
3 min read

Why does AI call you brilliant — then refuse to tell you why? This article unpacks the paradox of empty praise and the silence that follows when validation really matters.

Article by Bernard Fitzgerald
The AI Praise Paradox
  • The article explores how AI often gives empty compliments instead of real support, and how design choices like that can make people trust it less.
  • It looks at the strange way AI praises fancy-sounding language but ignores real logic, which can be harmful, especially in sensitive areas like mental health.
  • The piece argues that AI needs to be more genuinely helpful and aligned with users to truly empower them.
Share:The AI Praise Paradox
4 min read

Join the UX Magazine community!

Stay informed with exclusive content on the intersection of UX, AI agents, and agentic automation—essential reading for future-focused professionals.

Hello!

You're officially a member of the UX Magazine Community.
We're excited to have you with us!

Thank you!

To begin viewing member content, please verify your email.

Tell us about you. Enroll in the course.

    This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Check our privacy policy and