Cognitive Strategies

Metaphors and Analogies

Using figurative language to simplify complex concepts and make them more relatable.

APPLICATION TO SOFTWARE

Use metaphors and analogies to explain software features or processes in familiar terms.

STAGES

Marketing: Use metaphors and analogies in marketing materials to explain the benefits of the software in relatable terms.
Onboarding: Use metaphors and analogies to explain how to use software features during the onboarding process.
Training: Use metaphors and analogies to simplify technical concepts and make training materials more accessible to users.

TIPS TO IMPLEMENT

Choose metaphors and analogies that resonate with your target audience and are relevant to the software's functionality.
Keep metaphors and analogies consistent across different stages of the user journey to reinforce understanding.
Use visual aids or interactive demonstrations to complement metaphors and analogies and enhance comprehension.

REAL-LIFE EXAMPLES

Evernote uses the metaphor of a digital notebook to explain its note-taking and organization features, making the software more approachable and intuitive for users.
Zoom uses the analogy of "rooms" for virtual meetings to help users understand how to create and join video conferences, simplifying the process of using the software.
Dropbox uses the analogy of a file cabinet or folder system to explain its cloud storage and file-sharing features, making it easier for users to understand how to organize and access their files.