Before this class, I thought behavior design was mostly about using psychological nudges and incentives to guide user behavior, typically focusing on product engagement or usage metrics. I had a vague sense of the ethical dimensions but did not understand how deeply intertwined ethics are in every design decision. My understanding of design, especially as it relates to shaping behaviors responsibly, was limited and mostly theoretical.
Throughout the quarter, I approached the material we learned in class with curiosity, openness, and sometimes skepticism, especially when dealing with ethical discussions. My experiences included conducting baseline studies, user interviews, and iterative prototyping. Each step pushed me out of my comfort zone, requiring empathy, deep reflection, and willingness to challenge my assumptions.
I particularly loved the collaborative nature of the course. Working closely with my teammates who are really different to me, bouncing ideas, giving each other constructive feedback and refining interventions collectively was incredibly rewarding. However, I sometimes struggle with the ambiguous instructions in the class sometimes, especially when the teaching team does not mention the purpose behind the class exercise on how we need to learn it.
The course approach of integrating ethics deeply into the design process was extremely valuable. Discussions around manipulation, nudging, privacy, and well-being directly influenced our design choices. Initially, I felt these ethical considerations might constrain creativity, but I soon realized they enhance the quality and sustainability of design solutions!
One method I will definitely reuse is assumption mapping. By differentiating assumptions and facts, It clarified our thinking, ensuring our designs were robust and grounded in reality. Conversely, some early-stage ideation methods, such as broad exploratory interviews, occasionally felt less impactful for our specific user group (people who struggle with skin-picking), where targeted conversations yielded better insights.
A surprise I encountered was how nuanced ethical dilemmas became once we implemented our prototypes. An example was balancing persuasive nudging with respect for user autonomy. Our prototype involved sending timely notifications to users to increase awareness of their skin-picking behaviors. Although our intention was to help users become more mindful, we quickly realized a potential issue: users could become overly dependent or even “addicted” to the reminders. To mitigate this, we ensured transparency in our communication about the intentions and limits of our solution and provided users with clear options to adjust or disable notifications. This reinforced their autonomy and protected their well-being.
One unresolved aspect of our project was scalability. While our intervention was effective in controlled environments, questions remain about broader applicability. Another underlying societal issue highlighted was digital inequality; not every potential user has equal access or technological literacy. What are we going to do with the elderly who are not good with technology but also struggle with skin-picking?
If I could change anything, I would engage earlier and more deeply with diverse user groups to better reflect inclusivity and accessibility. For redesign suggestions, I would encourage and promote more structured ethical checkpoints earlier in the design process.
Ethically, our skin-picking app prototype used nudges responsibly by clearly communicating their purpose and seeking explicit user permission about notifications. Users had full control over whether to receive reminders and at what specific times, ensuring respect for user autonomy. Regarding privacy, our app prioritized anonymity and minimal data collection. However, potential expansions involving richer personal data could challenge privacy protections, underscoring the necessity of ongoing ethical vigilance and robust privacy protocols.
In terms of design justice and inclusivity, our skin-picking app prototype incorporated universal design principles by simplifying interfaces, minimizing cognitive load, and consistently validating our assumptions through diverse user feedback. This approach highlighted the essential balance between universal usability and personalized relevance.
Now, I think deeply about ethical implications, user autonomy, and iterative design at every step. Next time I encounter a similar project, I will proactively integrate diverse user perspectives early, continuously reassess ethical considerations, and maintain transparency to build trust and efficacy.
