Spectrum of Thinking Interventions
The Spectrum of Thinking Interventions provides a structure to guide your UX design process, helping you identify the types and range of thinking interventions that the user may require. This spectrum encompasses four primary categories: guidance, explanation, exploration, and creation.
Guidance
Guidance-based interventions are designed to help users navigate through a digital product or service with minimal effort. They may be aimed at full-fledged beginners, casual users, or experts in their respective domains. Such interventions may include signposts, tooltips, and clearly articulated labels.
Examples:
- Visual cues (e.g., icons, colors)
- Signposting (e.g., breadcrumbs)
- In-context information (e.g., tool tips, hints)
Explanation
Explanation-based interventions provide users with detailed narratives, overviews, or background information that helps them make informed decisions. This may include tutorials, articles, videos, or any other mediums that help explain complex concepts or instructions.
Examples:
- Multimedia tutorials
- Articles or blog posts
- Infographics or diagrams
Exploration
Exploration-based interventions encourage users to understand and interact with the product by investigating, asking questions, or searching for solutions on their own. This can be done by providing interactive elements, multiple pathways, and opportunities for discovery.
Examples:
- Interactive simulations or models
- Advanced search capabilities
- Multiple UI paths for task completion
Creation
Creation-based interventions engage users by offering them the tools and resources to co-create or customize their experience. This type of intervention often involves a more extensive level of input and involvement from the user as they become active participants in the design process.
Examples:
- Customizable user interfaces
- Allowing users to create their content
- Enabling users to manage their preferences, settings, and configurations
With this spectrum in mind, it is essential as a UX designer to analyze which types of thinking interventions are most relevant to your target users and design the most accessible and effective solutions. Always consider how these interventions will influence users’ decision-making processes and their overall satisfaction with your digital product or service.