March 26, 2023

Habit Loops

Hey there!

I recently finished reading "Atomic Habits" by James Clear, a book that had been on my to-read list for quite some time. The book explains how small, consistent changes in our habits can lead to significant improvements in our lives. While reading, I couldn't help but think about the connections between habit loops and design flows in the products we use daily, including our work at Bueno.

At Bueno, we're incorporating habit loops into our product to make creation and creativity a habit that keeps artists engaged and productive. We want to help artists move away from the idea of relying on a magical, never-appearing "inspiration" and, instead, focus on constant action and exploration to find their way in the creative process.

However, it's essential to recognize that these flows can also lead to addictions or habits that aren't beneficial for the user. We've all seen examples of products designed to exploit our attention and keep us engaged for extended periods, ultimately leading to unhealthy behaviors.

As designers, we have a responsibility not to fall into the trap of creating products that prioritize engagement over user well-being. We're committed to designing experiences at Bueno that genuinely improve users' lives and help them make better decisions, while also being mindful of potential negative consequences.

So, next time you work on a project, think about the habit loops you're creating and the potential impact on your users. Remember, it's not just about getting people to come back for more—it's about making a positive difference in their lives.

Keep designing responsibly and creatively!


Note: I didn't read the book, I listened to it on Audible. But saying “I heard this book” doesn't sound as cool.

Now... some interesting links,

  • Is Working From Home Really Working?
    This NYT article discusses the challenges and benefits of remote work, highlighting how Salesforce and Meta are navigating the shift to a work-from-home model. It touches on the implications of remote work on company culture, collaboration, and employee well-being. Is your team also working remotely? What do you think?
  • ChatGPT Plugins 
    Developers can now enhance ChatGPT's capabilities by creating custom plugins. This is wild! The opportunities are here, friends!
  • Hollywood Is Betting on Fear
    As a movie fan, I'm torn about Hollywood's focus on horror films to attract audiences back to theaters. While I hope this leads to more experimental movies like Hereditary or M3GAN, I worry about the potential overemphasis on fear.

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