Design for Emergence
Design for emergence serves the "long-tail" of user needs.
The Problem with Long-tail User Needs
Long-tail user needs, like “Is this passable at low tide?” represent a comparatively small group of people, yet the investment required to build an adequate solution often remains the same.
Kasey Klimes, "When to Design for Emergence"
How to Design for Emergence
According to Gordon Brander, design for emergence needs:
- Low floors (an easy way to get started)
- Wide walls (many possible paths)
- High ceilings (ways to work on increasingly sophisticated projects)
Further Reading
- "Low floors, wide walls, high ceiling" by Gordon Brander
- "When to Design for Emergence" by Kasey Klime