Liminal Space
“Two of the most important characteristics of good design are discoverability and understanding. Discoverability: Is it possible to even figure out what actions are possible and where and how to perform them? Understanding: What does it all mean?” ⏤ The Design of Everyday Things, Don Norman
In the quiet hum of my workspace, I pondered the concept of liminal spaces—transitional zones where one is on the threshold between two states. Suddenly, a light bulb went off in my mind.
I realized that the user interface is akin to a liminal space. It’s the threshold where users interact with the unseen complexities of a system, the point where human intentions are transformed into digital actions. This intersection is crucial in shaping how users perceive and engage with technology. Don Norman, in his book The Design of Everyday Things, emphasizes the importance of making interfaces intuitive, so users can easily discover and understand how to interact with them.
Even the humble loading screen holds significance for user interactions. It occupies the brief moment between a user’s action and the software’s response. Well-designed transitions during these periods can enhance user satisfaction and reduce cognitive load.
My thoughts then wandered to my ongoing interest in local-first software. This approach, where data and functionality reside primarily on the user’s device rather than relying on the cloud, creates its own liminal experience. It operates in a delicate balance between the user’s control and the system’s need to sync with the outside world—a threshold between autonomy and connectivity.
In this model, the software exists in a state of readiness—always functional within its local domain but capable of expanding outward when necessary. It’s a space where the user’s intentions are preserved even when the connection falters, and where the system adapts fluidly to ensure the user remains grounded in their experience. The liminality here isn’t just a transition; it’s an essential design principle that embodies freedom and resilience.
As I connected the dots, I smiled. Just as liminal spaces in the physical world are crucial for transformation, software is filled with “in-between” moments that facilitate progression from one state to another. These spaces—whether in interfaces, code, or user experience—are where meaningful change happens.
I thought, reflecting on how these thresholds, like glass, allow us to glimpse the complexity beyond while guiding us toward what lies ahead.