Interest Comes Before Intention

“Nobody reads advertising. People read what interests them, and sometimes it’s an ad.” This quote by Howard Gossage is just as relevant to product design as it is to marketing.

People don’t engage with products because they’re supposed to—they engage because something about the experience draws them in. Whether it’s an intuitive UI, a satisfying micro-interaction, or a design that just feels right, the best products don’t force attention; they earn it.

Much like a well-crafted ad that blends seamlessly into compelling content, great design integrates into a user’s life effortlessly. If a product feels clunky, intrusive, or irrelevant, it gets ignored—just like bad advertising. But when it resonates with a user’s needs, habits, and emotions, engagement happens naturally.

The takeaway? Design for interest, not obligation. Make users want to interact, not feel like they have to. Because in the end, the best design isn’t just functional—it’s magnetic.