🌡️ Progressive Disclosure:
Revealing information gradually simplifies user interaction.
Users are less likely to be overwhelmed, if they're progressively (gently) exposed to complications.
It's the psychology equivalent of 'don't run before you can walk'.
Information horizon
The term information horizon refers to what a person can see at any one time.
In a regular game of chess, the information horizon is essentially everything, because you can see all of your opponents pieces at all times.
In design, this concept is used to quantify what features, functionality, complexity and optionality the user has at any one time.
If the information horizon is too broad, then you're likely overwhelming them with choice.
Progressive onboarding is a technique to lower / reduce that.
✅ Feature usage
The amount of information (context and understanding) that someone has, will have a huge effect on their usage of a specific feature.
✅ Habits
It's easier to form productive (and efficient) habits when the user isn't overloaded with functionality and choice.
✅ Productivity & efficiency
If you introduce users to every feature at once, they may be overwhelmed, and less productive overall.
For example, if every feature was in a single dashboard, it may be challenging to use it efficiently.
✅ Attention & interest
✅ Complexity & understanding
Here are a few things to try when building products:
Expose users to new features gradually, and try to build a foundation of understanding (rather than starting with your most exciting feature).
Remember that the user doesn't need to learn everything in one session.
Habits can be additive (i.e., start small, and then add new steps into their habit over time).