seductive interfaces |
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The word seduce has been since the 15th century and derives from the Latin, seducere meaning "to lead apart"
While Webster's defines seduction as the act of leading aside or astray, I don't believe that seduction should be viewed in such a negative connotation. Webster's does a bit better with the word seductive as having alluring or tempting qualities.
This is far closer to how seduction relates to design but we believe it has come to mean even more than this.
I din't believe that it's a bad thing to "lead people astry" as this is something that people often want us to do as designers. The danger comes when the intent of the seduction isn't honest, forthcoming, or positive. Theme parks and movies are, in fact, opportunities in which people explicitly expect and desire to be "lead somewhere."