Ever heard of glanceability?

“Our story begins on a fresh, early June morning in Denmark.
A world-class entrepreneur was going through a few screen shots of an e-commerce platform that a group of his associates recently launched.
“So, what do you think?”
After a short pause, I said: “The ability to interpret things at a glance,” I answered, “is hard-wired into us. It’s just the way we are. So, this is a fail. Sorry… “

Glanceability*.
I usually glance at something – on paper, electronically, or otherwise – and almost immediately this question crosses my mind: “Do I Want To Know More About This?”
All that happens in a single glance.
And you, are you any different?

My 2¢:
The point I’m about to make may not be popular.
It may not win me friends.
But I must make it:
It’s true, a lot of stuff does not pass the glanceability test.
What can be done about this? Glad you asked. In short: a lot. Stay tuned…

June 13, 2012 from Copenhagen, Denmark

*Glanceability refers to how quickly, easily, and attractively the visual design conveys important information after the user starts paying attention to the object in question.”

P.S. Only in Copenhagen:

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