GoogleEXAMPLE 01
Teach a shortcut in response to repeated effort
Google introduces a faster keyboard action when a person repeatedly performs a slower one. The advanced option appears when its benefit can be understood.
Progressive Disclosure
Reveal complexity when it becomes relevant.
01 / UNDERSTAND
The idea
Show the information and controls needed for the current task, with a clear route to more detail. This can help beginners get started without removing advanced capability. People must still be able to discover what is available.
The information horizon is the functionality and complexity someone can see at a particular moment. Showing everything immediately can overwhelm a newcomer. Build understanding progressively, introducing a capability when it becomes useful. Learning can span several sessions. Keep essential prices, conditions and consequences visible before any related commitment.
02 / RECOGNISE
See it in real products.
Examples of how the principle can appear in an interface.
03 / CONNECT
Why it matters.
The visible information horizon can affect understanding, feature adoption and productive habits. Introduce advanced capability as it becomes relevant while preserving discoverability.
Possible influences to investigate, rather than guaranteed outcomes for every product.
04 / APPLY
Put it into practice.
- 01
Show common actions first
- 02
Use explicit labels for additional options
- 03
Preserve access to advanced settings
05 / EXPLORE WITH UPSLIDE
Apply it with Upslide.
Use a practical guide, read a deeper explanation, or examine a related Upslide project.
A Visual Flow Framework Before Redesigning
Separate primary, secondary and detailed information according to the next task.
UI Card Design: Anatomy, Best Practices and Examples
7 mins readUse card anatomy and hierarchy to make one set of information easier to compare.
Explore ECHO’s restructuring of data access and advanced functionality.
CONNECT THE IDEAS
Related principles
Keep exploring
