By Jason Fried · world.hey.com · @jasonfried on X · LinkedIn
Jason Fried argues that the most interesting design is the kind that changes how people behave, not just how something looks or works. He uses the power reserve indicator on the A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1 watch as an example. The indicator moves downward non-linearly, dropping quickly during the first day, which makes the watch seem to lose power faster than it really does. This nudges owners to wind it more often, keeping it topped off and preventing the watch from stopping. The example shows how a small, deliberate detail can shape user habits in a meaningful way.
01Key takeaways
- The most powerful design details are the ones that change what people actually do, not only how a product looks.
- A small, deliberate distortion in a signal can nudge users toward healthier habits.
- Consider how a gauge's spacing and pacing shape user perception, not just its accuracy.
- Good behavioral design can be subtle; users may never consciously notice the cue that guides them.
02Key sections
- Three roles of design
- Design can be about appearance, about function, or about shaping behavior, and the author finds the last most compelling.
- How the Lange 1 indicator works
- The power reserve gauge shows remaining wind from up to down, similar to a fuel gauge, over roughly 72 hours.
- The hidden non-linear scale
- The indicator's markers are unevenly spaced and the needle drops faster early on, so the reserve looks lower than it is after a day.
- The behavioral effect
- The accelerated drop prompts owners to wind the watch more often, avoiding a stopped watch that is rarely accurate.
03From the post
“In some cases, design is what something looks like. In other cases, design is how something works. But the most interesting designs to me are when design changes your behavior. Even the smallest details can change how someone interacts with something. Take the power reserve indicator on the A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1 watch. The power reserve indicator indicates…”
Summary and takeaways written by PM Atlas; quotes are short excerpts. © the original author.