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10 A**hole Design Patterns
When profit comes before people
I recently wrote about the 10 dark patterns that companies use to persuade their users to make decisions that favor the interest of the company rather than the individual. Asshole design takes dark patterns a step further. These are just downright unethical and immoral practices that have by no mistake snuck their way into the products and services that consume.
Companies make these decisions not unintentionally, but rather solely to deceive or dupe their unsuspecting victims.
1. Shrinkflation
Shrinkflation is a classic case of less product = more profit.
Companies use this tactic to discreetly sell less of a product at the same price that it was before.
Companies can do this through labeling by displaying “FAMILY SIZE” or “PARTY SIZE” despite it being the same amount as the regular item. To the unsuspecting shopper, this is an easy one to miss.
