Leveraging Positive Friction In User-Centered Design

Join us for an engaging presentation from Ruth Schmidt of the Institute of Design on the effectiveness of positive friction in user-centered design.

ABOUT THE PRESENTATION

The application of behavioral economics principles to user-centered design is increasingly recognized as valuable, particularly in situations where even the tiniest of barriers — like simply having to create a new name and password — can be all it takes to derail user behavior. Given that the easiest decision is not having to make one at all, our goal when designing interventions is often to make things too easy not to do: reducing friction often helps users get out of their own way when saving for retirement, eating healthily, and starting new habits through the use of automation, opt-out, and defaults.

However… efficiency is not always the same as effectiveness, and sometimes we behave in irrational ways due to too little friction. From challenges of self-control, to forcing us to reflect on our own default assumptions, to commitment contracts that hold us accountable, sometimes making people pause or work a little harder through the addition of positive friction can help them leverage or counter their own cognitive biases to achieve better ends. This talk will break down situations in which in the introduction of positive friction can help us develop more effective interventions, and a framework for how to identify them.

IMPORTANT NOTICE ON LIMITED SPACE

Due to high demand, this event will be limited to a maximum of 120 attendees (including guests), so please respond ASAP to guarantee your spot! We ask that you RSVP Yes only if you are confident you will attend. And please update your RSVP to No if your plans change to open your spot to another Action Designer. Thank you.

SCHEDULE

6:00 PM - 6:30 PM: Networking and Food

6:30 PM - 7:30 PM: Presentation and Discussion

ABOUT OUR SPEAKER

Ruth Schmidt recently joined the Institute of Design (ID) as Visiting Industry Professor and Director of Strategic Initiatives after teaching courses across Behavioral Design, Communication Theory, and Semiotics in an adjunct capacity since 2009. Prior to joining ID, Ruth served as a senior leader at Doblin | Deloitte for over eight years, where she led teams in applying design-informed innovation strategy to solve complex challenges and grow new innovation functions within client organizations, most regularly in the health care and financial services industries. Throughout her time at Doblin Ruth led the development of Doblin’s Behavioral Design POV and practitioner toolkit, which integrates key principles from behavioral economics with the perspective of user experience to provide an actionable, disciplined approach to de-risking innovation and increasing user adoption. She has presented on behavioral economics and communication theory + design at multiple institutions, publications, and conferences. Ruth received a BA in Semiotics from Brown University and a Masters of Design at the Institute of Design/IIT.

ABOUT OUR HOST

Special thanks to our host and sponsor, Arity: "There’s value in knowing what happens next. At Arity, we’re pushing the boundaries of predictive analytics, leveraging Allstate data and modeling expertise to help you evaluate driving risk and make smarter decisions in real time. It’s how we’re revolutionizing transportation—and that’s just the start."

We look forward to seeing you at the event!