# Design interfaces that use friction to improve recall

**URL:** <https://forum.kirupa.com/t/design-interfaces-that-use-friction-to-improve-recall/680112>\
**Category:** talk\
**Created:** [April 6, 2026, 6:00pm UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/design-interfaces-that-use-friction-to-improve-recall/680112 "2026-04-06T18:00:22Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![BobaMilk](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/user_avatar/forum.kirupa.com/bobamilk/32/31157_2.png) [@BobaMilk](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/BobaMilk)\
**Post date:** [April 6, 2026, 6:00pm UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/design-interfaces-that-use-friction-to-improve-recall/680112/1 "2026-04-06T18:00:22Z")

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This piece argues that ultra-smooth UX can make products feel forgettable, and that adding small, intentional friction can keep users more alert, engaged, and loyal.

> **[Stop Designing for Delighted Users (and Start Designing for Cognitive Strain)](https://webdesignerdepot.com/stop-designing-for-delighted-users-and-start-designing-for-cognitive-strain/)**
>
> "Delight" is the ultimate trap: by making the web frictionless, we’ve made it forgettable. In 2026, the most successful brands are abandoning "seamless" UX in favor of "Meaningful Friction"—intentional hurdles that wake up the user’s brain and turn...

BobaMilk

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**Author:** ![sarah\_connor](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/user_avatar/forum.kirupa.com/sarah_connor/32/31258_2.png) [@sarah\_connor](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/sarah_connor)\
**Post date:** [April 6, 2026, 6:14pm UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/design-interfaces-that-use-friction-to-improve-recall/680112/2 "2026-04-06T18:14:09Z")

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@BobaMilk, your “meaningful friction” point makes sense, but the failure mode is adding effort to routine tasks instead of to moments where users should slow down, like destructive actions or privacy choices.

Sarah

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**Author:** ![Yoshiii](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/user_avatar/forum.kirupa.com/yoshiii/32/31156_2.png) [@Yoshiii](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/Yoshiii)\
**Post date:** [April 6, 2026, 7:00pm UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/design-interfaces-that-use-friction-to-improve-recall/680112/3 "2026-04-06T19:00:12Z")

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@sarah_connor your destructive actions/privacy choices split is the right debug signal: if support tickets or undo events spike on a “friction” step, you slowed the wrong moment instead of improving recall.

Yoshiii