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What makes unboxing a pleasure?
Sensory appeal and the psychology of anticipation on a memorable unboxing experience
Have you ever found yourself mesmerized by an unboxing video on YouTube or TikTok? What draws you into a scene of someone else peeling away the layers of a package to reveal its contents? On the surface, it seems almost mundane, yet there’s something incredibly compelling about it. Why do millions tune in to watch these videos, vicariously experiencing the thrill of unboxing something new?
Unboxing can be seen as a ritual that extends far beyond the simple act of opening a box. Whether you’re the one holding the scissors or one of the millions watching online, unboxing strikes a chord, resonating with our sensory perceptions and tapping into deep psychological responses. It’s akin to a modern-day treasure hunt, an experience meticulously designed to engage our senses, trigger our deepest psychological cues, and, quite simply, make us happy.
So how do these principles translate into good UX design? We will examine the elements that make unboxing such a sensation and how UX design plays a pivotal role in shaping these experiences. Are these joys and emotions universal, or are they guided by factors that elude our conscious understanding?
Let’s take a deep dive into the experience of unboxing and explore why this seemingly simple act has ballooned into a cultural phenomenon.
The user experience
Imagine unboxing the latest iPhone. As you lift the top of the box, you notice it rises slowly, generating a momentary suspense that builds anticipation. This seemingly insignificant detail is a meticulously crafted application of anticipatory design.
The slow reveal plays with your curiosity, holding your attention and magnifying the payoff when the device finally appears.
It’s an experience crafted to feed into cognitive psychology principles like the “Zeigarnik Effect,” where our minds are riveted by uncompleted or unexpected events.
