The Dark Tricks Behind Design

So here’s a quick story. Ever bought a snack because the package looks big, but when you open it... boom, only like 30% filled? Or signed up for a “free trial” that suddenly charged you because you forgot to cancel? Yep congrats, you just got hit by a dark pattern.

“Dark pattern” is a design trick made not to help users but to nudge, push, or sometimes trap them into doing something they didn’t really plan to do. Like clicking the wrong button, buying extra stuff, or giving up halfway just because cancelling is too complicated. The flow isn’t neutral it has an agenda. The term was first coined by Harry Brignull back in 2010, and since then, people started finding more of these shady tactics especially in the digital world. But let’s be honest, physical products got their own sneaky moves too.

Look around. In minimarkets, how many times you grabbed a snack just because the packaging was bright and HUGE? But yeah...mostly air inside. That’s what’s called slack fill they make the packaging big so it feels like more value. Then we got misleading labels like “sugar free” but turns out it’s still sweet AF with artificial stuff. Or how impulse buy items are placed near the cashier or eye-level shelves. These are not accidents they’re marketing strategies using human behavior.

Even public space furniture can be manipulative. Ever seen benches that are split into 3 parts, or have metal bumps in the middle? They’re not broken. That’s hostile design, meant to make people not sit too long. Subtle, right?

But digital dark patterns? they’re next level sneaky.

Like when you get the big shiny “Accept All Cookies” button, but the “Reject” one is small, gray, and hiding behind 3 clicks. Or the “No thanks” button that says stuff like: “No, I don’t want to be healthier” or “I prefer to stay broke”. Classic confirmshaming. Also, those fake urgency pop-ups like “Only 2 rooms left!” that weirdly always say 2 every time you reload.

And don’t get me started on ads pretending to be download buttons. 😵‍💫

At this point, the question is no longer “Is the design cool or smart?” but more like “Is this design ethical?”

Some people say, “It’s just marketing, bro. That’s how business works.” But from a designer’s point of view especially those who care about respecting users this is a red flag. These tactics play on human cognitive bias like FOMO, decision fatigue, laziness to read terms. They work, yes. But does that make them right?

And yeah, companies use dark patterns because they boost clicks, conversions, and short-term revenue. But the long-term effect? Not great. People feel tricked, trust drops, churn rate goes up, and the brand starts getting roasted online.

In gaming and mobile apps, it gets worse. Kids end up buying stuff accidentally because the “X” button is super tiny or nearly invisible. Parents find out when the credit card bill comes.

As a designer, I believe we have a big responsibility. Not just to make things look good or flow well but to make sure everything we design respects the user's awareness and choice.

We can use conversion-boosting techniques, but the question is: Are we doing it in a transparent and honest way?

Right now, I feel like we need to be more critical about our design decisions. Are we making it easier for users to leave, not just to join? Are our “Decline” buttons just as clear as the “Accept” ones? Or are we hiding things on purpose?

Ethical design doesn’t mean less effective. Actually, it builds long-term trust, and that’s way more valuable than a short-term click spike. Because design isn’t just about looks or usability. It’s also about ethics and empathy.