UX/UI
Illustration
Print Design
Monsters of Manipulation
A beginner’s guide to avoiding digital manipulation
Monsters of Manipulation is a project that aims to educate novice internet users about dark web practices. We created a game-like tablet experience and an informative book to compliment each other.
Meet the Team
Monsters of Manipulation was created by Alex Kauffman, Dan Hunt and Tessa Cote.
Overview
To start, we researched dark patterns on the web that many novice (and sometimes experienced!) users fall victim to on the web. I took responsibilities for dark patterns found in user experience. The manipulations I chose were roach motels and privacy zuckering.
I created a tablet interaction and two page spread for each manipulation. I also took the responsibility of illustrating the cover of our book, our mascot Orion, and the “wanted” home page of our tablet interaction.
Roach Motels
WHAT IS A ROACH MOTEL?
Roach motels are designed to make it extremely easy and enticing for users to get into a situation but intentionally tricky for them to escape. An everyday use of this pattern is hidden in subscription services. For the game experience, I wanted to simulate being caught in a roach motel. Users had the safety of Orion, and if they made an unwise choice that might keep them further trapped, he would be there to help them. The page spread in the book highlights the maze trap and gives readers valuable insight like where they might encounter roach motels, how to protect themselves, and what to do about them.
Tablet game experience
For the tablet experience, I wanted to lead users through a mock roach motel, and have Orion give them tips if they choose a path that might lead them further into the maze. The maze helps demonstrate and how complicated some processes can be. This maze has three stops total to try and entice the user to stay connected and stay paying for the services.
Discounted Offers
Businesses will often try to keep users by offering them a discounted rate. Upon initial review, it can look like you’re getting the service for less for the rest of the subscription, but often hidden in the fine print are the terms where the discounted rate only lasts a couple months, and then will return to it’s regular rate. The hope from a business perspecctive that the user will forget abbout the payment in the next couple months, and tey can resume pulling the original anount of money that thhey signed up for.
