Placebo in modern design

And how does an important medical principle affect our design sensibilities?

Imagine using a new app. You tap a button, and a loading animation spins on the screen. Even though it lasts just a second, it makes you feel like the app is working hard to fetch your data or, is it?

This little animation is a perfect example of a placebo in design.
Netflix Progress Loader.

Now let’s first understand this cool phenomenon and why it relates to our designs.

So, What is a Placebo?

In medical terms, a placebo is a treatment that doesn’t actually have an active effect but can make people feel better simply because they believe it works.

By extending its definition and rephrasing it in design terms, a placebo is a visual element that doesn’t necessarily perform a practical task but makes users think about the task going on and makes them feel better about their experience.

Photo by Simone van der Koelen on Unsplash

Why use Placebos in Design?

Enhancing User Experience

Placebos can make interactions feel smoother and more satisfying.
Example: Loading animations such as progress bars or loading spinners can make a wait feel shorter…