Short answer
Consider how to introduce elements of surprise or unfamiliarity into your designs to encourage users to see and interact with them in a fresh, more engaged way.
- Field
- Classic Design
- Source
- Academic Publication (2025)
- Method
- Conceptual analysis and historical application review
- Evidence
- Moderate effect
Introducing unfamiliarity into the design of everyday objects can reawaken user perception and foster a deeper appreciation for their form and function. This classic design research insight is drawn from a 2025 study published in Academic Publication. Using Conceptual analysis and historical application review, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Consider how to introduce elements of surprise or unfamiliarity into your designs to encourage users to see and interact with them in a fresh, more engaged way.
Ostranenie: Revitalizing User Perception Through Unfamiliarity
Introducing unfamiliarity into the design of everyday objects can reawaken user perception and foster a deeper appreciation for their form and function.
Academic Publication · 2025
Key Findings
- 01Ostranenie, as a principle of making the familiar strange, can disrupt automatic perception.
- 02Applying this principle can lead to a heightened awareness of form, function, and aesthetic qualities.
- 03The concept has historical precedent in art and media, suggesting its broader applicability.
Application
Design takeaway
Consider how to introduce elements of surprise or unfamiliarity into your designs to encourage users to see and interact with them in a fresh, more engaged way.
How to apply
When designing a familiar product, experiment with altering its typical form, material, or interaction sequence to prompt a new user perspective.
Project actions
- 01Think about everyday objects and how you could make them feel 'new' again.
- 02Consider how changing a material, shape, or how you use it could achieve this.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Provides a theoretical framework for innovative design approaches.
- +Encourages a deeper consideration of the user's perceptual experience.
Limitations
It can be challenging to measure 'increased perception' objectively; user fatigue or negative reactions are possible if the defamiliarization is too extreme.
Reliability & validity
Reliability could be improved by using standardized questionnaires for user feedback. Validity is enhanced by comparing feedback across different user groups and product types.
Think critically
To what extent can 'making the familiar strange' be applied without alienating users or compromising essential usability?
Design Principles
"Embrace defamiliarization to enhance user perception and appreciation of designed objects."
By deliberately disrupting habitual interaction, designers can encourage users to re-examine and engage with products on a more conscious level. This approach can lead to renewed interest, a better understanding of design choices, and potentially, a longer product lifespan as users are less likely to discard something they are actively appreciating.
What This Means for Your Design
Making something familiar seem new and strange can make people notice and appreciate it more.
How to use in your project
- 1.Use the concept of ostranenie to justify design choices that deliberately deviate from convention to enhance user experience.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
The principle of ostranenie, or defamiliarization, suggests that by presenting familiar objects in an unfamiliar way, designers can prompt users to engage with them more consciously, fostering a deeper appreciation for their form and function. This approach can lead to more memorable and impactful design outcomes by disrupting habitual interaction and encouraging novel perspectives.
Source
Questions About This Research
- What does the research say about ostranenie: revitalizing user perception through unfamiliarity?
- Consider how to introduce elements of surprise or unfamiliarity into your designs to encourage users to see and interact with them in a fresh, more engaged way. Evidence: Academic Publication (2025).
- Why does "Ostranenie: Revitalizing User Perception Through Unfamiliarity" matter for design?
- By deliberately disrupting habitual interaction, designers can encourage users to re-examine and engage with products on a more conscious level. This approach can lead to renewed interest, a better understanding of design choices, and potentially, a longer product lifespan as users are less likely to discard something they are actively appreciating.
- How can designers apply this research?
- Consider how to introduce elements of surprise or unfamiliarity into your designs to encourage users to see and interact with them in a fresh, more engaged way.
- What were the main findings?
- Ostranenie, as a principle of making the familiar strange, can disrupt automatic perception.. Applying this principle can lead to a heightened awareness of form, function, and aesthetic qualities.. The concept has historical precedent in art and media, suggesting its broader applicability.
- What research method was used?
- Conceptual analysis and historical application review.
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2025 journal from Academic Publication.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When designing a familiar product, experiment with altering its typical form, material, or interaction sequence to prompt a new user perspective.
- What are the limitations?
- The effectiveness of ostranenie can be subjective and may not resonate with all users or product types; over-application could lead to frustration or confusion.