Flag

We stand with Ukraine and our team members from Ukraine. Here are ways you can help

Get exclusive access to thought-provoking articles, bonus podcast content, and cutting-edge whitepapers. Become a member of the UX Magazine community today!

Home ›› Design ›› Change Blindness

Change Blindness

by Michael Grossman
2 min read
Share this post on
Tweet
Share
Post
Share
Email
Print

Save

What are you paying attention to, and what are you missing?

Change Blindness

Depending on what we focus on, our brains can be completely blind to obvious changes going on around us. This is called “change blindness,” and it is unnerving when you observe it. Below are a few examples of this in action.

This first video is an experiment conducted at Harvard where 75% of the people in the test don’t notice that the man in front of them has turned into a different person. This was conducted in a formal test setting. The people involved were interviewed after the experiment to better understand their perception of events.

This next video shows change blindness being used as more of a parlor trick. Magician Derren Brown exploits this blind spot in a much more dramatic way. Changing clothes, race, and gender doesn’t seem to matter to these people on the street. This demonstration isn’t as controlled, but is a lot of fun to watch.

The last video is an “Awareness Test” that has been around for a while. You can run this test on yourself and on others.

The concept of change blindness highlights a potential problem for UX professionals. Most of the time, user researchers and UX architects begin their research with specific goals in mind, and are focused on a specific aspect of the product. But with this focus comes the risk that they will be blind to other aspects of the user’s experience. What are we failing to capture when observing people using the products we design? We need to reserve space in our work for uncovering those things that we don’t know we don’t know, and make it an official part of the process. We will observe more of the moonwalking bears that teach us valuable lessons about our users and our products.

post authorMichael Grossman

Michael Grossman

Michael merged his skills in graphic design and multimedia into a career in User Experience Design after graduating with a B.S. in Jazz in 1989. He has delivered projects for clients including Kenneth Cole, Merrill Lynch, Apple, Time Warner, NFL Properties, AOL, Toshiba and W&R Grace. He has spent the last 20 years designing great experiences. Visit his UX Blog, his website, or follow him on Twitter.

Tweet
Share
Post
Share
Email
Print

Related Articles

How is AI really changing the way designers work, and what still depends on human skill? This honest take cuts through the hype to show where AI helps, where it falls short, and what great design still demands.

Article by Oleh Osadchyi
The Real Impact of AI on Designers’ Day-To-Day and Interfaces: What Still Matters
  • The article explores how AI is reshaping designers’ workflows, offering speed and support across research, implementation, and testing.
  • It argues that while AI is useful, it lacks depth and context — making human judgment, critical thinking, and user insight indispensable.
  • It emphasizes that core design principles remain unchanged, and designers must learn to integrate AI without losing their craft.
Share:The Real Impact of AI on Designers’ Day-To-Day and Interfaces: What Still Matters
9 min read

What if you could build software just by talking to your computer? Welcome to vibe coding, where code takes a back seat and the vibe leads.

Article by Jacquelyn Halpern
Vibe Coding: Is This How We’ll Build Software in the Future?
  • The article introduces vibe coding, using AI to turn natural language into working code, and shows how this approach lets non-coders build software quickly and independently.
  • The piece lists key tools enabling vibe coding, like Cursor, Claude, and Perplexity, and notes risks like security, overreliance on AI, and the need for human oversight.
Share:Vibe Coding: Is This How We’ll Build Software in the Future?
7 min read

Voice and immersive interfaces are no longer futuristic extras — they’re redefining how we shop, learn, and live. Is your product ready for this shift?

Article by Katre Pilvinski
Voice and Immersive Interfaces: Preparing Your Product for the Future of UX
  • The article shows that voice and immersive interfaces are becoming mainstream, not experimental.
  • It argues these technologies shine where traditional interfaces fail — in multitasking, accessibility, and spatial understanding.
  • The piece urges a voice-first mindset and a shift toward more natural, human-centered interactions.
Share:Voice and Immersive Interfaces: Preparing Your Product for the Future of UX
3 min read

Join the UX Magazine community!

Stay informed with exclusive content on the intersection of UX, AI agents, and agentic automation—essential reading for future-focused professionals.

Hello!

You're officially a member of the UX Magazine Community.
We're excited to have you with us!

Thank you!

To begin viewing member content, please verify your email.

Tell us about you. Enroll in the course.

    This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Check our privacy policy and