Welcome to the UX Rundown. In this series, we share quick, actionable UX breakdowns of real apps and websites – spot what works, what doesn’t, and learn how to apply it to your own designs.
Discover just how impactful it is to show the right information at the right time. This UX case study breaks down progressive disclosure and how to reduce cognitive load like Upwork does, helping users make confident decisions without feeling overwhelmed.
What you'll learn in this UX tutorial:
What progressive disclosure is and why it matters
How to identify the right information to show users at the right time
Real examples from Upwork's freelancer cards, Airbnb's listings, and Duolingo's onboarding
How to run quick design surveys and preference tests to validate your designs
A complete before/after case study showing measurable improvement in user confidence
Whether you're designing card views, onboarding flows, or any browsing experience, this principle will help you create interfaces that feel intuitive and easy to navigate. Perfect for UX designers, product designers, and anyone building interfaces where users need to scan, compare, and choose from multiple options.
🎯 Key takeaway: Showing the right information at the right time isn't just about aesthetics – it's about helping users move forward, feel confident, and succeed with your product.
Chapters:
0:00 - Introduction: The challenge of choice
0:59 - The importance of progressive disclosure
1:13 - Upwork: Making Confident Hiring Decisions
3:16 - Lessons from other products (Airbnb, Duolingo, Email)
5:36 - Designing for the next decision
5:46 - Case study: Plant shop card design
7:07 - User feedback and redesign
8:31 - Testing, iteration, and final thoughts


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