Attention Quote by Gerry McGovern
“Designing a website can be a bit like being a kid and inheriting a sweetshop. It's easy to get carried away. There are so many choices. A website can be like an attic that never fills up. Space is not the problem. Attention is.”
About This Quote
Source Article: Blog post by Gerry McGovern on web design, 2021
Web design can become overwhelming due to endless options; the real challenge is capturing user attention, not just filling space.
In simple terms: Attention, the scarce resource in digital design.
Key Takeaway
Focus on attention, not just features.
Themes
design overload
attention economy
user experience
Mood
analytical
practical
Type
educational
strategic
When to use this quote
- website redesign
- content strategy
- UX workshops
Key Concepts
cognitive load
information architecture
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you prioritize attention‑grabbing elements?
- What criteria decide what to exclude?
A Different Perspective
Neglecting functional requirements can harm usability.
![“I went to a mosque in Philadelphia with [my wife] in December 24, 1999. And we we went to this mosque in Philly, and I just had such a strong reaction to the prayer. And I was really emotionally - I felt really grounded at that time. And so to be in this prayer and the imam is doing the prayer in…” quote by Mahershala Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d31/mahershala-ali-6687_attention_i-went-to-a-mosque-in-philadelphia-with_3083.jpg)
