Tastemasked

Tastemasked is a design approach that emerged in the field of user experience (UX) and visual design. It involves the deliberate concealment or suggestive representation of design elements, often to evoke an emotional or intuitive response from users. This technique is employed to spark imagination, curiosity, or engagement, rather than explicitly communicating the functional aspects of a product or system.

Tastemasked design often interacts with, or interacts through, visual narrative, metaphors, or associative connections between seemingly unrelated elements. By evoking connotations and references from users' past experiences or emotional associations, tastemasked design attempts to encourage users to infer and connect the represented information themselves. This shared, user-influenced interpretation enables designers to elicit specific emotional responses from users, narrowing the gap between the user's perception and the designers' intentions.

Critique of tastemasked design has centered on concerns over user understanding, as explicit communication and usability principles are generally valued in UX. However, its supporters argue that tastemasked elements can create higher engagement, emotional resonance, and a more memorable experience, generated through deliberate ambiguity and encouragement of active participation from users.

The fundamental question of whether tastemasked design is creating an enjoyable experience is thus subjective and predominantly dependent on individual perspectives of users and designers alike. Additionally, some have pointed out that excessive ambiguity or poorly executions may decrease, rather than increase user engagement and enjoyment.

Innovations and experiments continue to expand and redefine the concepts of tastemasking, asserting its place within the ever-evolving practices of UX and visual design.