Help Us Simplify NPN - Chat

Discussions
1

We’re spending time looking at ways to simplify and refine the NPN experience.

Our goal isn’t to add more — it’s to make the site clearer, calmer, and more focused on what truly supports creative growth.

Over the next few weeks, we’ll be asking a few short questions to better understand which features are meaningful and which may be unnecessary.

Today’s question:

How often do you use the NPN Chat feature?

  • I use it regularly (at least weekly)
  • I use it occasionally (a few times per month)
  • I’ve tried it, but don’t really use it
  • I rarely or never use it
  • I didn’t even know we had chat
0 voters

If you’d like to share more context about how (or why) you use chat, feel free to comment below.

3

I’m somewhere between don’t really use it and a few times a month. I like the feature, but not that many people partake which makes it feel a bit like an echo chamber.

2 Likes
4

Rarely, when I want to contact another member personally, I prefer direct messaging because it avoids “noise” generated by others who are not directly involved.

5

You can chat privately. Bill and I do and sometimes and also Diane occasionally.

6

I voted wrong by accident. I rarely use the chat feature. If want to reach out to someone I send a message directly to them through the site.

2 Likes
7

I have looked at it a few times and the topics that were in progress were not of interest at the time. I have topics I would like to bring up, but since I haven’t used it much I don’t know if those topics have been already addressed. I haven’t tried to use the search yet.

8

Thank you to everyone who participated in the poll!

The results were very clear: very few members are using chat regularly, and many didn’t use it at all.

As part of our effort to simplify NPN and make the experience more focused and less confusing, we’ll be turning off the chat feature.

Nothing is being removed in terms of meaningful interaction; conversations will continue to live where they naturally belong: within critiques, discussions, and direct messages.

More simplification updates to come.

9

I’m curious why you think there is a reason to “simplify” the site? Can’t people ignore what they don’t use rather than take it away from those who do?

10

Hi Kris, over the years, the most consistent feedback I’ve heard about NPN is that it can feel complex and overwhelming, especially for newer members. I’ll admit that I’ve historically leaned toward adding features and options because I believed more tools would create a better experience.

What I’ve learned about creating a good user experience is that more options rarely create more clarity. For power users, having everything available is great. But for most members, and especially new members, too many choices can create friction. It’s not always as simple as ignoring what you don’t use. When the interface feels busy, it can actually prevent people from engaging at all.

In the case of chat, it’s clear that it’s rarely used. When a feature adds visual and cognitive weight but provides limited value to the majority of members, it’s worth reconsidering. Simplifying doesn’t mean stripping away depth, it means being intentional about what supports the core experience.

Our focus is critique, discussion, and creative growth. Anything that distracts from that, even slightly, deserves scrutiny. I appreciate you asking!

1 Like