noun a path that is created informally by people taking the shortest route between two points, often in defiance of designated paths or walkways
Desire paths are often used in urban planning to inform the design of walkways and pedestrian routes based on the natural paths people take through a space.
In civil engineering, desire paths can be used to optimize the placement of sidewalks, trails, and other pedestrian infrastructure based on actual patterns of use.
In landscape architecture, desire paths can influence the layout of parks and outdoor spaces to create more intuitive and user-friendly designs.
Desire paths are considered in information architecture to improve the organization and layout of digital interfaces to better align with user behavior and expectations.
Desire paths are relevant in environmental psychology as they reflect human preferences for movement and can inform the design of built environments to better accommodate these preferences.
Desire paths are studied in human geography to understand how people interact with and navigate through their environments, providing insights into cultural practices and spatial behavior.
In writing, 'desire path' can be used as a metaphor to describe the natural inclination or tendency towards a certain course of action or behavior, often in relation to human behavior or decision-making.
Psychologists may use the concept of 'desire path' to explain patterns of behavior or thought processes that individuals tend to follow due to their desires, motivations, or subconscious drives.
Urban planners use 'desire path' to refer to informal paths or shortcuts created by pedestrians that deviate from planned or designated pathways, which can inform decisions on future infrastructure or landscaping designs.
In product design, 'desire path' can be a term used to describe the anticipated user flow or interaction with a product, helping designers create intuitive and user-friendly interfaces based on users' natural desires and behaviors.
Marketing specialists may refer to 'desire path' as the preferred customer journey or decision-making process that leads to a desired action or purchase, influencing marketing strategies and campaigns.