designluckor

Designluckor is a concept in design studies and practice describing intentional gaps or open-ended slots within a product, service, or system that invite interpretation, adaptation, or future change. Rather than attempting to anticipate every user need, designluckor leave room for user-led modification and evolvability.

The term combines design with the Swedish word lucka, meaning gap or slot. In Swedish design discourse the term is used to discuss how artifacts balance specification and flexibility, allowing serendipitous use or evolution over time.

In practice, designluckor appear as open-ended features, configurable interfaces, modular components, or transitional states that accommodate diverse contexts of use. They are employed to support co-creation, long-term relevance, and resilience to changing technology or user expectations.

Benefits include increased adaptability, reduced risk of premature design fixation, and opportunities for user personalization. Risks include potential confusion, inconsistent experiences, and governance challenges when gaps are exploited in unintended ways.

The concept is discussed in design theory and is related to modular design, platform thinking, and user-centered design. Critics argue that without clear constraints, designluckor can dilute usability or accessibility.