01 Aug The Button
Clean Design
Marcel liked doing things himself.
He had never needed much help online — screen reader on, headphones in, arrow keys steady.
Until the new appointment portal launched.
He needed to book his booster shot. The link opened a clean, modern page.
“Select a time and confirm.” That’s what it said.
What’s Missing
He chose a time. Then… nothing.
No “Next” button. No confirmation.
He tabbed forward.
“Group. Button. Clickable.”
No label.
He clicked. Nothing happened.
He tried again. Same thing.
Call for Help
He called the support line.
“It’s that little checkmark in the bottom corner,” the woman said.
“A floating icon.”
“What’s it labelled as?”
“I… I don’t think it is.”
He thanked her. Closed the laptop.
The Invisible Step
A friend booked the appointment for him.
Not because he couldn’t — but because the system had made him feel like he’d missed something obvious.
But he hadn’t. The button just hadn’t introduced itself.
Not Forgotten
That evening, Marcel wrote in his notebook:
“Simplicity is not what we leave out.
It’s what remains clear when nothing is explained.”
And underneath:
“I don’t mind learning something new.
I mind when I’m made to feel like I’ve forgotten something everyone else already knew.”