oversite
dark patterns manipulation test
Design Degree II
Student
January 2022 - May 2022
Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, Miro, Autocad
project statement
Dark patterns are constantly utilized in UX design to manipulate targeted users to act a certain way.
I will highlight the dark patterns that are being used within mobile UX design by creating a “manipulation test” that will walk users through, and explain how common design techniques are actually forcing them to act in a specific way.
problem statement
As a user who is aware of the potentially adverse effects of technology, I would like to understand and be informed of the techniques within the designs of everyday digital technology that I utilize, to better understand the effect that it has on my actions.
audience statement
The target audience of my project is Late Millennials and Early Generation Z young adults (18 - 30) who grew up with early technology playing an important role in their development.
project deliverables
mobile dark patterns manipulation test
museum exhibit
marketing materials & branding
mobile dark patterns manipulation test
The Oversite dark patterns manipulation test is an educational mobile test that exposes my target audience to commonly used dark patterns seen throughout the technology that they utilize on a daily basis. The test is set up in a quiz-like format in which users will see a design and guess whether it is a dark pattern or an ethical design.
There are 3 different tests, each representing an overreaching category of type of dark pattern used in digital design. Each category is generalized and encompasses dark patterns that either have to do with user choice, user misdirection, or user overwhelm.
At the end of the test, the user will receive both a score as well as a detailed overview of each design they witnessed throughout the test to explain whether it was ethical or a dark pattern.
Oversite aims to show dark patterns in an approachable way while providing users with information regarding how dark patterns can affect your actions and decisions as users of technology.
Mobile Test User Flow
Dark Pattern Manipulation Test - User Walkthrough
museum exhibit
For my second deliverable to accompany my dark patterns manipulation test, I wanted to showcase “dark patterns” that could exist in the physical world.
The goal behind a museum exhibit would be to allow the concept of digital dark patterns to be more easily understood by experiencing them in a physical setting, specifically attaching them to a common physical world experience.
Therefore, I created an exhibit concept that showcases a common consumer experience, going grocery shopping, and turned it into a way to highlight manipulation techniques that were purely due to design.
The exhibit, “Mental Mart”, is a heightened sensory experience that showcases the physical realm “dark patterns” that a person could experience while shopping in a grocery store.
Museum Exhibit Introduction
“Experience Stops” Labeled Floor Plan
Axonometric Floor Plan with Highlighted “Experience Stops”
marketing materials & branding
The goal of designing marketing materials and branding for Oversite was to utilize dark patterns themselves to catch user attention and bring awareness to the mobile dark pattern manipulation test.
Mental Mart Exhibit Brochure