Five-Second Test
Show users a design for five seconds and then ask what they recall to evaluate first impressions and clarity.
Research Classification
Research Type
Attitudinal Behavioral
Behavioral: Focuses on what people do: their actual behaviors and actions.
Data Type
Qualitative Quantitative
Qualitative: Collects non-numerical data like observations, interviews, and open-ended responses.
Requirements
Budget
lowMinimal resources required
Timeline
short1 week
Team Size
singleCan be conducted by one person
Research Goals
evaluation usability
Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓ Quick to set up and execute
- ✓ Tests immediate impressions
- ✓ Evaluates visual hierarchy
- ✓ Identifies clarity issues
Cons
- × Limited to first impressions only
- × Doesn't test interaction or usability
- × Results can be subjective
- × May miss deeper issues
Use Cases
Example Scenario
Testing whether users can understand the purpose of a landing page and recall key messages after viewing it for only five seconds.
Additional Applications
- • Homepage clarity
- • Landing page effectiveness
- • Value proposition testing
- • Brand perception