Design Tricks
How is tech designed to hold our attention, and how can it impact our well-being?
Grades
9–12Time
45 mins.
Objectives:
Understand how and why tech companies use certain design tricks to hold our attention.
Consider the app features that hinder and promote well-being.
Reflect on how the goal of an app informs the way it is designed.
Vocabulary Show definitions
digital well-being ·
design tricks ·
user experience
digital well-being – experiencing media and technology in ways that support one's mental, physical, social, and emotional health
design tricks – features that technology companies use (like endless scrolling and autoplay) to capture user attention by playing on our psychology
user experience – how a user interacts with and experiences an app, website, system, or service
Key Standards Supported
Lesson Plan
45 mins.
Part 1: App Designer
15 mins.Part 2: Design Tricks Video
15 mins.Part 3: Redesigning for Well-Being
15 mins.![](/sites/default/files/styles/ratio_16_9_medium_canvas/public/png/2023-06/center-for-digital-thriving-logo_0.png?itok=5aRQ6siN)
![](/sites/default/files/styles/ratio_16_9_medium_canvas/public/jpeg/2022-08/kqed-logo.jpeg?itok=iDydzNi9)
This lesson was co-created with the Center for Digital Thriving at Harvard Graduate School of Education in collaboration with KQED.