Situated
Begin with the real task, context and person—not a feature list.
Why “ready to hand”?
Technology should return you to the world.
The name is inspired by Heidegger’s idea of the ready-to-hand: the well-made tool encountered through use, not as an object demanding attention.
Less interface. More agency.
We do not treat complexity as a sign of seriousness. The work is to understand a difficult process deeply enough that the software can make the next action obvious, without hiding important consequences.
Privacy is part of usefulness.
A tool cannot feel ready to hand when using it creates a second problem: where did the information go, who can see it, and how long will it remain? We prefer device-first and data-minimising patterns whenever the product allows them.
Breakdown should be humane.
Tools become visible when something goes wrong. At that moment the interface should explain, recover and guide—never shame the person using it.
Legible
Make choices, consequences and data handling understandable.
Proportionate
Build the smallest complete tool that resolves the friction.
Withdrawn
Let the interface recede once the work is underway.