The Power of Subtle UX: A Lesson from a Volume Knob
A tiny UX change BMW did that made me realize the smallest things matter.
Jul 11, 2025
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<2 min
When I first learned to drive, I got behind the wheel of a 2016 BMW X1 — and honestly, I loved it. The dashboard felt sleek and modern (for the time), and I had a blast driving it. Everything just worked — or so I thought.
It wasn’t until I was driving a friend one day that something subtle clicked. As they reached for the dash to turn up the volume using the knob, I realized I had never used that knob myself. Without thinking, I had always adjusted the volume using the steering wheel controls. Why? Because I instinctively liked keeping the power icon on the knob upright — a small aesthetic choice that felt wrong when not upright.
Fast forward to 2023, when I got to drive a newer BMW model. This time, the volume knob was redesigned: instead of the icon turning with the knob, the icon stayed upright while the knob rotated around it. That small change? It stuck with me.
It taught me something valuable — that good UX design often works in the background. These micro-interactions may go unnoticed, but they shape how we experience products every day. A tiny design decision, like a static power symbol, can reduce cognitive friction and bring a sense of comfort or delight.
It’s a reminder that thoughtful design isn’t always about the big flashy features — it’s in the small, silent details that make something feel intuitive, effortless, and human.
— Emma
When I first learned to drive, I got behind the wheel of a 2016 BMW X1 — and honestly, I loved it. The dashboard felt sleek and modern (for the time), and I had a blast driving it. Everything just worked — or so I thought.
It wasn’t until I was driving a friend one day that something subtle clicked. As they reached for the dash to turn up the volume using the knob, I realized I had never used that knob myself. Without thinking, I had always adjusted the volume using the steering wheel controls. Why? Because I instinctively liked keeping the power icon on the knob upright — a small aesthetic choice that felt wrong when not upright.
Fast forward to 2023, when I got to drive a newer BMW model. This time, the volume knob was redesigned: instead of the icon turning with the knob, the icon stayed upright while the knob rotated around it. That small change? It stuck with me.
It taught me something valuable — that good UX design often works in the background. These micro-interactions may go unnoticed, but they shape how we experience products every day. A tiny design decision, like a static power symbol, can reduce cognitive friction and bring a sense of comfort or delight.
It’s a reminder that thoughtful design isn’t always about the big flashy features — it’s in the small, silent details that make something feel intuitive, effortless, and human.
— Emma
