How to play the infinite game of humane tech.
In Part 1 we explored the core design practices that make users addicted, as well as our biological vulnerabilities to that kind of design. Reading it first will help you get the most out of this article.
In Part 2 (you are here) we’ll delve into how we can design software (eg. product, interface, OS) for human values. We’ll use Ratio as an example.
Designing for Human Nature
When designing a product, we have to understand what needs our user is trying to meet by using it: whether basic, psychological, or self-fulfilment. Many user-facing apps fall into either category. By now, most of the psychological theories agree that if certain needs are not met, we get unwell and stop developing. Needs work similarly like building blocks: if a need is fulfilled, we can progress to the next stage our growth.
Most social+entertainment apps are designed with bait and switch of values and needs. They are replaced by the drive for growth maximisation, data extraction, and attention monetization. A product like Facebook promises social connection (core need) to its user. Yet, it leaves the user feeling more isolated and more emotionally vulnerable than before using it. This kind of product exploits human vulnerability by delivering a false promise. Manfred Max-Neef’s taxonomy of Fundamental Human Needs (1986) calls this type of bluff a pseudo-satisfier. It satisfies a need for some time, yet leaves a person less able of meeting this need later on.
So, if we design in opposition to human needs (on purpose or not), we create damage. If we design for distraction (“I am working on an important project, but I can’t focus because of constant notifications “), we create damage. If we design for diversion from intentionality (“I just wanted to check a DM on Instagram, but got lost in Explore feed and ended up on some stranger’s account 15 min later”), we create damage. If we design for pseudo connection (“Posting that picture got me less likes than I actually expected”), we create damage.
How can we undo that and use design to create wellness?
Neutralising Dark Patterns & Focusing on Values
A good place to start is to remove dark design patterns. This will be a neutral baseline for any human centred product. Only then, we can go ahead with core functionality — values based design. Let’s take an example and determine core values (ours and our users’) that will inform the way we design UI:
- Productivity — that’s how we show up for ourselves and in the world. That’s how we get to contribute to our immediate community and to the society at large. This is a way we channel our ideas and creativity into the tangible. It also promotes self-esteem, which is one of the core human needs. (Here we don’t mean business or rushing, rather, a sense of personal accomplishment, however small or big it is.)
- Focus — it allows us to get into the flow, where creativity and productivity merge. Focused attention helps us move towards our goals without losing intention or time.
- Regard — it recognises that every human has a right to be treated with care to their human nature. To be seen as a human being with individual needs and values, and not as a data point within engagement metrics platform.
None of these include addiction, dependancy, distraction, anxiety, jealousy, loneliness, depression, or anger.
Unhooking from The Hooked Model
We wanted to design a smartphone experience that would decrease smartphone addiction without a compromise to function.
So, we built Ratio — a minimalist home screen that saves your focus, and promotes your digital wellbeing. We looked at and deconstructed the most common dark design patterns in smartphones. Then we re-engineered everything according to our values. There is no need to reinvent the wheel.
Let’s go back to the Hooked Model and lay out how we can counteract the addictive design patterns in practice. Knowing the basic Ratio layout will help to better understand the breakdown below.
1. Trigger — eliminated
Trigger is what nudges us to take action in the app (wether it’s a notification or a sense of boredom).
In Ratio we started with a monochrome and minimalist interface. Designed to ease your mind from distracting colors and notifications. We eliminated almost all colors, except #EBFF00. We took inspiration from the most essential tool of our youth: the marker. We highlighted only what’s important (and gave you freedom to do that on your screen too). We also equalised apps by their appearance, leaving none of the original app icons.
By removing external triggers we have a chance to unlearn what original homescreen has taught us: a craving for never-ending variety.
In Part 1 we covered that triggers can be external or internal. Now that we’ve removed external triggers, we’re left with the internal ones. After a distracting interface is gone, we will nonetheless, experience internal triggers trying us to take the old action. This habit of distraction is something that we will have to unlearn over time. Given the complexity of this topic, we’ll cover it in depth over the coming articles.
2. Action — this time intentional
Action is what you do to eliminate the trigger: check email, refresh feed, post a story.
Even though we have no control over what apps you have on your homescreen, we made it easy for you to take action that’s in alignment with your intention. You can use the essential services such as weather, news, calendar, notes (and many more), without ever entering any app or browser. This way we preserve sometimes the very utilitarian needs that we have: just to check information. Without being seduced by other unnecessary content. This is Root — essentials.
Another ease of action we introduced was Conversations — one screen communication and notification hub. A place, where you can access and organise all of your conversations in one window.
3. Variable reward — made predictable
Variable reward is all of the interaction that happens inside of apps. Likes, follows, comments, endless scroll, hyper-individualised feed. What makes it so addictive is the unpredictability of when it comes.
Since we’ve put all the messaging apps into one window (Conversations), the habit of switching between apps becomes redundant. You’ll notice that you just don’t want to check your phone that much anymore. Dramatically.
Making interface predictable takes away the aura of dopamine rush. This is the ways we learn that there’s nothing to keep on checking, because the reward has become much more predictable.
4. Investment — optimized
It’s a sum of how much a user has invested of their time, data, money, skills, reputation, followers, etc into an app. The higher the investment, the harder it is to leave the app. This is a long term strategy for user retention.(Remember that Gmail invite back from 2004? Some of us are still using the same account. Because of this reason, competing email providers have to help new users transition.)
The only investment that Ratio requires is a basic set up and your personal customisation.
Epilogue
Form Equals Function
Phones are not only used by the end user, but also by manufacturers and by third party service providers. Your smartphone is not just a doorway to endless entertainment, information, connection. This door opens both ways. Those who provide the entertainment, information, connection also have a doorway to your attention and your data. In most cases, they have different goals than you do. Therefore, your smartphone is a matrix of different needs and goals of multiple stakeholders — not just yours.
The challenge of creating human centred interface is that we have to filter out the needs & goals of manufacturers / third party providers /apps, and to solely focus on the user. Dark pattern designers understand that form (eg. red notification dot) leads user to the function (eg. open the app). Here, form has an equal leverage to function, and serves the best interest of the app provider, and not its user.
If we want to create interfaces that genuinely support human wellbeing, we must introduce human values into the equation of form and function. If both of them are informed by the shared core values of user and designer, we finally can engineer technology that is human by design.
