- **Epistemic status:** #budding ![[Pasted image 20220707085731.png]] Illustration retrieved from riding the magic escalator of acquired knowledge [[#^71dd3e]] The magic escalator of acquired knowledge coined by Jared Spool is an analogy to represent the knowledge that a user has over a design. When a user is on the bottom of the escalator they know very little of the design, and when they are on top they are an expert. There are two important points in the analogy: - **Current Knowledge:** The point the user gets on the escalator, representing all they know about the design before using it. They might have previous experience with similar UI, giving them an advantage on the learning process. - **Target Knowledge:** The point where the user needs to get to accomplish their goal. To bridge the knowledge gap, the designer can provide training to help the user to accomplish their goal. They can also simplify the design to reduce the knowledge gap. Over time, they will gain expertise on the UI, making it easier for them to accomplish the goal. The user can get knocked down the escalator when massive redesigns with significant changes launch. Users can become frustrated and disoriented since they have to spend more time and energy to relearn the design. Without a fundamental change in process where the root problem is solved, history is bound to repeat where minor updates are pushed off until the next big redesign. --- ## References - “Atomic Design by Brad Frost”. <http://atomicdesign.bradfrost.com/>. - UX Articles by UIE. “Riding the Magic Escalator of Acquired Knowledge,” November 2, 2011. <https://articles.uie.com/magic_escalator/>. ^71dd3e