Kathy Sierra has a very interesting post on creating out-of-context user delights. “User delights” are interesting and enjoyable experiences that come unexpected with the use of a product. The social and emotional creatures that we are, such delights stay with us for a long time and give us something to remember and talk about. Click here to read Kathy’s post, full of real world examples.
Here are Kathy’s tips on creating out-of-context user delights:
- Take an attribute that’s normal and expected in one domain, and use it where it would not be expected.
- Take an attribute in your domain that’s expected, and do the opposite.
- Do something completely out of character.
- Combine two things that nobody would think to combine.
- Blow a stereotype.
- Add “meaning” where it’s not usually expected.
- Care about detail in the smallest of ways, and without using it as a marketing tool!
- “Sex it up” by adding beauty and/or sex appeal where it’s not expected.
I’d summarize Kathy’s points as: be thoughtful, be unexpected (surprising) and make it fun for the user/customer!
