Shaping Behavior Through Design: Why We Should Guide Users, Not Just Follow Them

In UX and urban design, the debate over “elephant paths” — informal trails created by repeated human movement — raises an important question: Should we adapt to user behavior, or should we shape it?

Some argue that we should pave these desire lines because they reveal natural user preferences. However, as a UX designer, I believe design should not merely react to behavior but actively shape it for efficiency, sustainability, and better experiences.

Guiding Users Towards Better Solutions

Human behavior is often shaped by habit and convenience, not necessarily by what’s optimal, safe, or efficient. If we always design around existing behavior, we risk reinforcing suboptimal patterns instead of improving them.

Digital Product Design Examples

1. Dark Patterns vs. Ethical Nudges

• Many websites used infinite scrolling because users naturally kept swiping. However, research showed it led to addiction and decision fatigue. Platforms like Instagram introduced “You’re All Caught Up” nudges, subtly guiding users to take breaks instead of endlessly scrolling.

2. Apple’s Screen Time & Focus Mode

• Users naturally spend excessive time on their phones, driven by habitual scrolling. Instead of accepting this behavior, Apple introduced Screen Time and Focus Mode, empowering users to manage distractions and take control of their usage. This nudges users toward healthier digital habits rather than reinforcing endless engagement.

3. Duolingo’s Gamification & Streaks

• Learning a language requires persistence, but users often drop off after initial excitement. Instead of just adapting to user disengagement, Duolingo uses streaks, rewards, and gentle nudges to build a habit of consistent learning, reinforcing positive behavior change through design.

4. Google Maps’ Eco-Friendly Routing

• Users tend to prioritize the fastest route, often ignoring fuel efficiency. Google Maps introduced eco-friendly routing, where design subtly encourages users to choose more sustainable travel options by showing fuel savings alongside estimated arrival time. This influences behavior without forcing it.

Urban Design Examples

1. New York’s Times Square Pedestrianisation

• Initially, people resisted the idea of closing Broadway to cars, as vehicle traffic dominated the area. However, once planners redesigned the space with seating, greenery, and pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, it transformed into a thriving urban plaza.

2. The High Line, New York City

• New York’s High Line was once an abandoned elevated railway, where people had created informal paths through the overgrown tracks. Instead of paving those makeshift trails, designers transformed the space into a structured yet immersive pedestrian park, guiding movement.

Applying This to Elephant Paths

Instead of paving informal trails, we should guide users toward the intended experience by making designed pathways more inviting, accessible, and functional while subtly discouraging undesirable behaviors. Planting shrubs, adding seating, or using textured surfaces can deter foot traffic from unwanted areas without feeling restrictive.

Conclusion

Whether in digital products or physical spaces, our role as designers is to influence user behavior for better experiences, not just follow patterns blindly. Good design doesn’t just react — it educates, nudges, and guides users toward smarter choices.