Asking
Questions run both ways. The model asks people for decisions it can’t make alone, and people ask the model about anything on screen. Neither should start from an empty box.
When the model asks
The model asks inline, at the point of need, with a few likely answers (Ask). Its question wears pigment; the answer stays in ink.
- Offer two to four answers, and “Other…” for anything else.
- Offer “You decide” only when the model’s choice is reversible, and mark its pick as the model’s.
- Keep a record of the answers so far above the question, so people can see the path they took.
When people ask
| Ask about… | How | Component |
|---|---|---|
| Anything on screen | Select it; the model’s actions gather beside it | Lasso |
| Anything in the app | Tap Ask in the dock, or ⌘K | The guide |
| A field | Type; the field’s edge shows the model’s state | Tide |
Every answer cites where it came from. In this app, the guide answers from these pages on your device and pins each answer to the section it came from.