Perception and Design: A Science-Based Approach for Creating Content that Works

When it comes to content, design is inevitable. The question is whether it works. Design is at least 15 times more important than content when it comes to user trust and engagement. In as few as 15 milliseconds, users form first impressions that have measurable consequences for credibility, usability, and engagement.   We tend to think of design as either “good” or “bad,” and as a mysterious and magical thing with a life of its own inspired by an elusive muse and completely subjective in nature. However, design is fundamentally neutral in nature, with no inherent positive or negative qualities. The way we respond to design is based on a complex, yet predictable, interaction between sensory stimuli and human anatomy, neurobiology, and cognition.   The term “design” refers either to the arrangement of things or to the act of arranging things. “Intentional design” refers to the act of deliberately arranging elements to solve a specific problem – that is, to elicit a desired response.   When it comes to content, design is critical. Whether you use intentional design or not, content and design are inseparable; users inevitably perceive and respond to design, and it always makes an impression. So, the key to creating compelling content is learning to use intentional design, rather than incidental design.   Join Scott Abel, The Content Wrangler, and his guest, Tina Kister, for this one-hour webinar. Kister will explore the correlations between the science of perception and the discipline of design, and how both are integral to creating effective content. Tina will also distill the basics of design into a few simple concepts, and provide a few basic rules you can use to ensure that every design choice is intentional and effective. We hope to see you there!