Prevent a problem rather than fixing it

This applies also when the problem is already there. You can ask yourself ‘How can I fix it?’ but it’s a lot more useful to ask ‘How can I prevent it?’. In the latter, you’re more likely to look at the cause of the problem, instead of its effect and you’re able to solve it much more effectively.

I encountered this in the example described at form follows function, where a circle would be perceived as a coin. I tried many things to counter-act this: bigger negative feedback on touch, distinctive sounds, longer restart time and some more. But in the end these didn’t do much to solve the problem. Later, I found the problem originated from the fact that the circle was often on its own and therefore seen as something to collect. Putting more in a row, even surrounding the player, is what solved the problem.