Loading
How to use the Goal Gradient Effect
Spinning the flywheel of purchases
Why your rules need to be clear
During the 1930s, psychologists used rats in a maze to show that motivation intensifies as you make progress towards a goal.
The nearer the rats got to the food, the less likely they were to flee from loud noises.
The scientists also put tiny harnesses on them, attached to a spring scale, and measured their pulling strength as they got closer to the reward—they exerted much more physical effort the closer they were.
The point they were proving is that progress itself can be motivating.
This is known as the 🥅 Goal Gradient Effect, and this case study will show you how I leverage it with clients.

A behind the scenes look at how I redesigned the Built for Mars sign-up flow, and iterated from early feedback.
The two "obvious" fixes that did nothing
Why you shouldn't always force an input
Why limiting the user's choices can be beneficial
Hinge built its reputation on a single promise: it's the dating app that wants you to leave. This is a breakdown of how the interface is actually engineered to make sure you don't.
How dating apps keep you engaged (not romantically)
The design equivalent of clickbait headlines
How Hinge leverages social scarcity
The challenge for a navigation app isn't to efficiently show you the best route, it's to make you believe that you've found the best route.
How strategy influences design
Waze is cornered, and slowly shrinking
What Apple's strategy appears to be
Sometimes, the best onboarding is no onboarding, and simple products get bogged down with unnecessary explanations. This case study on Waitrose, Sainsbury's and Asda demonstrates when to just let the user try it for themselves.
Sometimes the best onboarding, is no onboarding
“Show, don’t tell” often beats education
Data can’t always tell you when onboarding is wrong

An analysis of Monzo’s 1p challenge, focusing on the middle slump, where progress slows and motivation quietly fades.
Delight can replace progress, but only temporarily
"The middle" is the real retention problem
Motivation needs contextualised reference points

Personalised user experiences are everywhere. The problem is that most of the time it doesn't work. This is how Nike nail it, with a few simple tricks.
Why saying "Good Afternoon..." is usually a waste of time
The common mistake with recommended content
How Nike uses showmanship to create personalised experiences
How to use the Goal Gradient Effect
Spinning the flywheel of purchases
Why your rules need to be clear
During the 1930s, psychologists used rats in a maze to show that motivation intensifies as you make progress towards a goal.
The nearer the rats got to the food, the less likely they were to flee from loud noises.
The scientists also put tiny harnesses on them, attached to a spring scale, and measured their pulling strength as they got closer to the reward—they exerted much more physical effort the closer they were.
The point they were proving is that progress itself can be motivating.
This is known as the 🥅 Goal Gradient Effect, and this case study will show you how I leverage it with clients.

A behind the scenes look at how I redesigned the Built for Mars sign-up flow, and iterated from early feedback.
The two "obvious" fixes that did nothing
Why you shouldn't always force an input
Why limiting the user's choices can be beneficial
Hinge built its reputation on a single promise: it's the dating app that wants you to leave. This is a breakdown of how the interface is actually engineered to make sure you don't.
How dating apps keep you engaged (not romantically)
The design equivalent of clickbait headlines
How Hinge leverages social scarcity
The challenge for a navigation app isn't to efficiently show you the best route, it's to make you believe that you've found the best route.
How strategy influences design
Waze is cornered, and slowly shrinking
What Apple's strategy appears to be
Sometimes, the best onboarding is no onboarding, and simple products get bogged down with unnecessary explanations. This case study on Waitrose, Sainsbury's and Asda demonstrates when to just let the user try it for themselves.
Sometimes the best onboarding, is no onboarding
“Show, don’t tell” often beats education
Data can’t always tell you when onboarding is wrong

An analysis of Monzo’s 1p challenge, focusing on the middle slump, where progress slows and motivation quietly fades.
Delight can replace progress, but only temporarily
"The middle" is the real retention problem
Motivation needs contextualised reference points

Personalised user experiences are everywhere. The problem is that most of the time it doesn't work. This is how Nike nail it, with a few simple tricks.
Why saying "Good Afternoon..." is usually a waste of time
The common mistake with recommended content
How Nike uses showmanship to create personalised experiences