Culture provides scaffolding, and learning happens over time.
The result is that we’re each capable of extraordinary feats. People can fly planes, ski down mountains, figure out how to use Photoshop or a solve a crossword puzzle.
But…
Most people only exhibit this skill when there’s months or years of exposure combined with cultural forces that educate and normalize the behavior.
When things are new, we’re often terrible at it.
People didn’t know how to use the microwave oven, the dishwasher or the buttons on the car radio when they were first introduced.
Designers need to pay very careful attention to new user frustration and feedback. But far more than that, they need the patience to invest in cultural awareness that can lead to learning that happens over time.
