I really connected with the idea that rhetoric exists everywhere, even in the things we create like apps, music, or architecture. It shows that design is never neutral because everything we make communicates a message or emotion to someone. This part made me think about how important it is for designers to be intentional since users will always interpret meaning from our work whether we plan it or not.

Group C:

1.) Canada and Norway both depend on exporting natural resources. We need to build sustainable value locally not just send raw goods elsewhere.

2.) Designers cannot just follow orders. They are responsible for what their work does in society. Every design choice affects people.

3.) Design is not decoration. It is about safety fairness access and improving lives for all users regardless of their condition.

4.) Designing for people with special needs often improves the product for everyone. Accessibility is not only for some but for all.

5.) Our design work affects future generations. We must think about the full life of what we create and the culture we leave behind.

6.) Whether a disability is permanent, temporary, or situational almost everyone will experience it. Accessible design should be normal for all.

7.) We all design in some way through how we communicate organize spaces or build systems. With that power comes responsibility to shape better experiences.

8.) Designers today have bigger reach and tools than ever before. That means their decisions matter more than ever for how we treat each other and our planet.

9.) A product is not just its production and launch. It has sourcing use reuse and disposal. We should design with all those phases in mind and aim to leave positive outcomes.

10.) Tiny design decisions like choice of material font or layout can multiply into big environmental and social effects when many people use them.

An example of loss aversion is when shopping apps often show messages like “Only 2 items left in stock” or “Your cart will expire soon.” These warnings make people buy faster because the fear of losing the item feels stronger than the joy of saving money by waiting.

When students try to study while also checking their phone and listening to music with lyrics, their brain has to split attention between tasks. This extra effort makes it harder to understand and remember the material.

If the weather forecast first says it will be 80°F this weekend, people may keep thinking of it as “warm,” even if later updates change it to 70°F.

A type of Serial Position Effect can be seen in online menus, where users are more likely to remember and choose the first few items at the top or the last few items at the bottom. Items placed in the middle often get overlooked, even if they are just as important.

A type of Fitts’s Law can be seen when using a smartphone keyboard. Larger keys like the space bar are quicker and easier to tap accurately, while smaller keys like punctuation marks take longer to press and often result in mistakes. The size and distance of the target directly affect how fast and accurately users can interact with it.

A type of Fitts’s Law can be seen when using a smartphone keyboard. Larger keys like the space bar are quicker and easier to tap accurately, while smaller keys like punctuation marks take longer to press and often result in mistakes. The size and distance of the target directly affect how fast and accurately users can interact with it.

A type of Hick’s Law can be seen in online shopping, where a customer is faced with hundreds of nearly identical options for something simple like a phone case. Because of the overwhelming number of choices, it takes them much longer to decide which one to buy, and sometimes they even leave the site without purchasing. This shows how too many options can slow decision-making and reduce efficiency.

A type of confirmation bias would be in sports officiating, a fan who believes referees are always biased against their team will notice every bad call that goes against them, but ignore or justify questionable calls that benefit their team. This reinforces their belief that the refs are unfair, even when the officiating is balanced overall.

Steve Jobs was a great pioneer, hence why he always learns from his own work and mistakes to improve. I always wonder if he'd be happy with Apple's current innovative products.

I like this principle because it shows the importance of letting users leave at the right time instead of forcing them to keep going. I have experienced this myself on TikTok when after scrolling for a while a video pops up saying ‘Have you been scrolling for too long, maybe it’s time to take a break.’ When I see that message it makes me stop and think about how much time I have spent. Apps that provide exit points in this way feel more respectful and can build better long term trust with users.

I think this principle is really important because people naturally speed up as they feel closer to finishing something. Showing progress, even if it’s artificial like pre-stamped cards, gives users a sense of momentum. It makes me realize that good UX should highlight progress to keep people motivated and engaged.

I think this bias is really accurate because people naturally prefer things that feel familiar and safe. Using common patterns in design helps users learn faster and feel more comfortable, which makes them more likely to keep using the product. At the same time, if companies change too much too quickly, like Snapchat’s redesign, it can create frustration and push users away.

I found it really interesting that UI is often considered a specialized part of UX. I never realized how much overlap there is between the two, especially when it comes to user centered design, cross functional teamwork, and even using the same tools. It also makes sense now why so many job postings ask for UX/UI designers rather than separating the roles.

Hello class!

The dates listed on the tentative schedule are wrong.