The projected Other
The transformative interface of future projection
A mirror that reflects not only the projected self. It holds the potentiality and the hidden effort required to achieve your desire, shrouded in ambiguity. Instils fear and fascination as you strive to balance between progress and uncertainty. In this journey, the concept of the Projected Other emerges — an intricate interplay and constant dynamic dialectic from my current self to the projected other.
In other words, the concept of the projected other involves the user’s projection of their future self or desired identity onto the product or system. It encompasses the user’s aspirations, and the symbolic meanings they associate with the product; Through this projection, users envision how the product can play a role in shaping their future and facilitating their self-expression, personal growth and fulfilment, so we will introduce a new category, like the primary or delight features, we will discuss the projected other features. By understanding the user’s projected other, as designers, we can strategically find a balance where users get stimulated and engaged not just by the primary experiences but with the projected other.
In this article, we will delve into the depths of the Projected Other, exploring its essence and strategies for leveraging it effectively.
Our studies have captured an intriguing phenomenon: a percentage of low-used features in the product play a crucial role, not necessarily due to their current usage, but because users project their future ability to utilize them. These projected capabilities hold significant user value, surpassing the more frequently used features.
This challenges the conventional notion that the value of features lies solely in their usage. Instead, it suggests that users derive a sense of empowerment and anticipation from envisioning themselves utilizing a set of features for the future, adding a layer of value that surpasses the present utility, and projecting their future needs, aspirations, or ambitions. They see them as instrumental in personal growth, expanding capabilities, or aligning with evolving goals. The projected other; being a nuanced and subjective phenomenon, cannot be adequately captured or understood solely through traditional success metrics or quantitative research methods. Instead, it necessitates a more in-depth approach rooted in qualitative user research.
It highlights the importance of creating a product experience that addresses immediate needs and stimulates users to project themselves into the future, fostering growth, self-actualization, and continued value over time. Indeed, these features that hold significant projected value often tend to be strategic and specialized.
In other words, while recognizing the significance of projected features in the user experience, it is crucial to approach their incorporation with caution. The concept of projected features brings to light the dynamic nature of user engagement and the value they ascribe to certain functionalities based on their potential. However, it is essential to distinguish between genuine projected features that emerge from thorough user research and strategic insights and mere assumptions or wild guesses about user desires.
The danger lies in overestimating the projected value of features without conducting continuous research and validation. Assuming all features have launched potential without empirical evidence can lead to a bloated product with unnecessary complexities. It is essential to strike a balance between understanding the genuine projected needs of users and avoiding the trap of including excessive features that may not align with their actual requirements.
While recognizing the potential of projected features in enhancing the user experience, it is essential to approach their implementation with diligence and avoid the dangers of incorporating excessive or misguided features and instead create a user experience that is truly transformative, valuable, and aligned with the genuine projected needs of users.
