A common design problem
A product often needs to support both new and experienced users. It requires enough functions for advanced work, but becomes difficult to learn if every option appears on the first screen.
Progressive disclosure shows the most important choices first and reveals specialised functions when requested. Nielsen Norman Group describes how the principle can support learnability, efficiency and fewer errors when the division is appropriate.
Important information comes first
The principle is not about hiding difficult information at random. Frequent tasks and essential information must remain visible. Less common options can sit behind a clearly labelled link, panel or advanced setting.
The control should also set expectations. “More options” is often less useful than “Show advanced export options.” A user should be able to predict what will appear before opening it.
Lag Din Fisk: an experience in stages
In Lag Din Fisk for Akvariet i Bergen, visitors draw a fish on paper, scan it and see it swim on screen. The project offers a concrete example of an ordered task moving between physical and digital actions.
This relates to staged disclosure. NN/G distinguishes a sequence everyone follows from progressive disclosure of optional functions. A step in a sequence is required; advanced settings are opened only when needed.
For this kind of experience, I would investigate whether visitors understand what to do now, where to scan the drawing and how the result appears. The project illustrates the task flow; this article does not report a measured benefit from separating the stages.
When the principle does not fit
Information used together should often remain together. If a user repeatedly opens and closes several levels to compare options, the complexity has only been moved.
A useful question is: what does this person need to know to take the next correct step? Show that first. Keep the rest easy to find, clearly labelled and close to the task it supports.
