AI Literacy and GenAI UX
I recently came across an insightful article by Maria Rosala from NN/g (read it here) that really got me thinking about the importance of AI literacy in design. In our day-to-day work, successfully prompting AI tools and understanding their outputs can make a massive difference – it’s like having a superpower if used correctly!
Maria introduces what she calls the AI literacy matrix which essentially breaks down users into four groups: Naive Power Users, AI novices, AI Experts, and Skeptical Abstainers. It confirms that our job as designers isn’t just about making things pretty but also about ensuring users can effectively communicate with AI and assess its responses. In short, we need to support both prompt and output literacy with clear guidance and transparent messaging. This is an actionable reminder for all of us to build interfaces that guide users in real time, especially when integrating AI functionalities.
The takeaway? Enhance your designs by embedding subtle helpers (think tooltips or clear disclaimers) to boost users’ confidence when working with AI features.
Design System Enforcement in Practice
Another piece from NN/g by Laura Klein (read more here) draws attention to the tricky business of maintaining a robust design system. Ever felt that your updates or tweaks just don’t resonate across the whole product? You’re not alone!
Laura highlights the critical role of design system enforcers who ensure consistency, track changes properly, and resolve conflicts as they arise. The advice is straightforward: secure executive and engineering backing, schedule regular reviews, and set up a nimble process for incorporating changes. I found it all very practical – a reminder that a well-governed design system is the equivalent of a well-oiled machine, keeping our digital products humming along nicely.
For those feeling swamped by the chaos of evolving systems, this article serves as a beacon, suggesting simple yet effective mechanisms to keep everything on track.
Leveraging the Endowment Effect for Greater UX Engagement
I also watched an engaging short video by Lola Famulegun on the endowment effect in UX (watch it here). It’s fascinating how the sense of ownership can significantly increase user engagement and retention.
The idea is delightfully simple: once users feel that a product or feature is theirs, they inherently value it more. As UX designers, we can harness this phenomenon – whether it’s through personalised experiences or interactive elements that foster attachment. It’s yet another reminder that even subtle psychological triggers can be leveraged to improve overall user satisfaction.
Designing with these insights in mind encourages us to think beyond mere functionality and focus on emotional connections, ultimately making digital products not only efficient but also engaging to use.