I like to think about friction in interaction design.

Technology is an instrument meant to help us, which means it shouldn't intrude when we don't need it. By thoughtfully adding small amounts of friction to well-considered places, I believe that we can strike the right balance between maximizing usability and maintaining an appropriate distance.

Another way I'd like to look at design is that it is a way of making the technology we use feel considerate, warm, and natural. While this isn't technology's default state, I believe that we should use design to give us back some of that warmth.

This means we should be focused on anticipating and solving a user's problems before they ever have them. Ideally, a tool should be so intuitive and caring that we forget that it is technology at all. It should just be there when it's needed, and absent when it's not.