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Writer's pictureMelepurath

Habituation in Design: Where Everyday Annoyances Meet Innovation

Hey, folks!


Ever wondered why you can't see your own nose? It’s always in your field of vision, but your brain just tunes it out. That’s habituation – our brain’s trick to ignore the familiar and focus on the new. It’s not just a quirk; it’s a game-changer in design.

Let me tell you a story. One day, I arrived at work ten minutes early, as usual. I found myself wrestling with a cabin door that wouldn’t budge, no matter how I turned the key. After five minutes of battle, I gave up. Just then, my coworker strolled in and effortlessly opened the door. “There's a trick to it,” he said with a smile. “I've been doing it for eight months.”

A faulty door lock turned him into an expert. Sound familiar? We all have our stubborn door locks.


Habituation and Its Tricks


Our brains are lazy – and that’s a good thing. We encode routine tasks into habits to make room for learning new stuff. We ignore the frustrating and complex, creating shortcuts that help us cope. We get used to everything, even the annoying.

Think about it:


  • Wearing Glasses: You forget you're wearing glasses after a while.

  • New Shoes: Breaking in new shoes makes them feel more comfortable.

  • Spicy Food: You adapt to the heat level of spicy food.

  • Living Near a Train: Train sounds become unnoticeable over time.

  • App Notifications: You start ignoring repetitive app notifications.

  • Device Unlock: Unlocking your phone becomes automatic.

  • Keyboard Typing: Familiarity reduces the need to look at the keyboard.

  • Interface Changes: Users adjust quickly to updated app interfaces.


Eventually, they become our new normal.


As designers, we get used to our own creations. We might overlook flaws that drive users nuts because we've adapted. Confusing navigation, clunky interfaces, and complicated processes slip under our radar, assuming users will adapt too.


But here’s the twist – users can get used to bad design too. They might accept clunky workflows and confusing layouts simply because they get used to them. This can kill their joy and efficiency.


You might think if users are happy and habituated, it’s all good. But the second they find something better, they’re outta there. Clients used to negative experiences will leave at the first chance.


So, how do we keep our products on top? Here’s the secret sauce:


Cracking the Design Code


1. User Feedback: Talk to real users. Their feedback keeps us grounded and stops us from falling into the habituation trap. However, instead of asking what users think they need, strive to uncover their true goals. Henry Ford nailed it: “If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses.” Users don’t have real solutions, just workarounds. Dig deep to find their true needs.

2. Constant Evolution: Keep refining designs based on real-world experiences. Make your products more user-friendly and less frustrating. Think of it as giving your product a regular spa day.


3. Future-Proofing: Anticipate how users might habituate and tweak designs to keep them fresh and delightful. It’s like planning a surprise party for your product.


4. Think Younger: The more we experience, the more we habituate. Young people don’t take things for granted; they see the world with fresh eyes. Channel your inner kid and stay curious.


Habituation isn’t just a brain thing – it’s a design superpower. By understanding how familiarity can blind us to flaws, we can create products users love from day one. Let’s keep innovating, making life less habituated and a lot more enjoyable.


Share your thoughts – I’d love to hear from you!


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