Curiosity Gap & the Invisible Machines

Hey all! Welcome?to Edition 2.

First things up: As I type this newsletter, I am listening to Invisible Machines. A podcast for designers and business folks who are trying to make sense of conversational AI, to explore hyper-automation and the intersection of UX, business, technology and design.

The hosts are Robb W. ?(Robb Wilson) and Josh Tyson and they bring variety of topics, and break down various perspectives of their book "Age of Invisible?Machines"

Next up, in recent experiments?of bringing UX and AI closer, we are offering 4 part capability in Gen AI at OriginUX Studio. This will give our news, media or any content first clients the power of content synthesising at scale.

• Automatic text summarization: Extracting and interpreting context to create content formats on the go.
• Document bots: Analyse different formats of documents to come-up with action items to boost productivity.
• Sentiment Analysis: Analyse consumer sentiments, detect market trends, and optimise their business strategies.
• Custom GPT: Integrate business content with custom GPTs to provide personalised services.

DM me if you would like to collaborate on the?above. ?? ??

This week, I am consulting on a project that debates the need of a mobile app for an Ultra Luxury Real Estate Group.

Well, it is a legacy brand and with its long standing repute, the brand is looking for something new and exciting. While we were brainstorming with the client, I referred to my learnings of the "Curiosity Gap" as a UX framework to design their?Approach Manuscript,? and what started as a 1 pager brief to the client, turned out to be an article.

The following read?is quite bearable and quick. So give it a shot :)

Exploring the Curiosity Gap: A Strategy for Enhanced User Engagement

Throughout my experience in product design and user experience, I have found that engaging users is not just about presenting tasks and information; it's about how you present it.

One effective method to captivate and retain user interest is leveraging the "curiosity gap"—a phenomenon where users are presented with enticing but incomplete information, compelling them to seek out more. This psychological principle taps into the human desire to resolve uncertainties and fill information gaps, driving higher engagement and interaction with your product.

The Curiosity Gap

The curiosity gap involves giving just enough information to pique interest but not enough to satisfy curiosity, creating a natural impetus for the audience to discover more. This gap between what people know and what they want to know can lead to a strong emotional response, prompting them to engage with the content to close this gap.

Examples of the Curiosity Gap in Action

Consider a marketing campaign for a new electric car. Instead of releasing full details, the company teases the audience with shadowy images and partial specifications, asking, "What makes this the most advanced car we've ever designed?" This tactic naturally sparks discussions and speculation, keeping the audience hooked until the full reveal.

Implementing Curiosity Gap Can Happen In Many Ways. For scenarios like:

1. Tease Future Features

Products can introduce upcoming features without revealing all the details. For instance, a software update might include a preview of an "upcoming transformational tool," with just enough screenshots to intrigue users without giving away its complete functionality.

2. Progressive Disclosure in UX

Use progressive disclosure to slowly unveil features and functionalities as users interact with your product. This approach not only keeps the interface clean but also turns user education into an engaging discovery process.

3. Storytelling in Stages

Break information into stages or chapters. This method is particularly effective in content-driven platforms, such as educational apps or gaming, where each completed stage reveals a part of the story, encouraging users to continue through the narrative to uncover more.

4. Interactive Content

Create interactive content that requires user action to reveal further information. This could be as simple as a "Swipe to discover" feature on mobile apps or more complex interactive infographics on web platforms.

5. Mystery Boxes and Exclusive Reveals

Incorporate elements of surprise and exclusivity, such as mystery boxes in e-commerce or invite-only features in software products, which can create buzz and anticipation.

However the key as always is balancing the Curiosity Gap

While the curiosity gap is a powerful tool, balancing it is crucial. Too little information may not spark interest, while too much may satisfy curiosity prematurely, leaving no reason for further engagement.

Here’s how to maintain the balance:

• Monitor User Feedback: Regularly assess how users respond to information teasers and adjust your strategy accordingly.
• Measure Engagement Levels: Use analytics to determine if your strategies are increasing user interaction and retention.
• Adjust Based on User Behaviour: If users are dropping off or not engaging as expected, it might be a sign to tweak the information gap.

The curiosity gap is an effective strategy to boost user engagement by making the most of human psychology. By carefully designing product interactions that ignite curiosity and provide gradual revelations, brands can level up user interest and encourage deeper exploration of their products and services. This not only enriches the user experience but also enhances the overall perception of the brand as intriguing and engaging.

Hope this week's read was useful. As always, open to new ideas and fab collaborations. ??

Cheers,

Vaishnavi