BrilliantEXAMPLE 01
Preview an interesting unanswered question
Brilliant introduces upcoming learning with questions or incomplete explanations. The preview provides a reason to investigate the next lesson.
Curiosity Gap
A clear unanswered question can invite exploration.
01 / UNDERSTAND
The idea
A small, understandable gap between what someone knows and wants to know can motivate learning. The reader needs enough context to recognise the question and judge whether the answer is worth their time.
An obvious missing piece can create interest even when the answer is not needed to complete a task. This differs from a knowledge gap, where missing information prevents competent use. A good curiosity prompt identifies an interesting question and delivers the answer; an essential instruction should never be withheld merely to create suspense.
02 / RECOGNISE
See it in real products.
Examples of how the principle can appear in an interface.
DuolingoEXAMPLE 02
Make an optional challenge personally relevant
Duolingo presents a puzzle in the context of a friend’s attempt. The unresolved outcome can make trying the challenge feel more interesting than a generic exercise.
Profile-view teaserEXAMPLE 03
A partial answer creates a question
A profile-view teaser shows how revealing some information while withholding the rest can create curiosity.
03 / CONNECT
Why it matters.
A clear unanswered question can attract attention and motivate exploration. An unresolved essential requirement creates confusion rather than a useful learning invitation.
Possible influences to investigate, rather than guaranteed outcomes for every product.
04 / APPLY
Put it into practice.
- 01
Make the question specific
- 02
Give enough context to judge relevance
- 03
Deliver the promised answer promptly
05 / EXPLORE WITH UPSLIDE
Apply it with Upslide.
Use a practical guide, read a deeper explanation.
Practical Business Model Canvas Framework
Give people enough context to judge whether the next step is worth exploring.
UX Psychology Examples from Netflix, Spotify and Duolingo
7 mins readCompare product interactions with testable psychological interpretations and their limits.
CONNECT THE IDEAS
Related principles
Keep exploring
