Sonos faced severe backlash after its 2024 app redesign, which made basic features inaccessible and led to a 25% drop in stock prices. Despite extensive testing, users found the new interface frustrating. A similar situation unfolded with Duolingo in 2022. The app switched from a branching structure to a linear path, angering long-time users who had to relearn navigation. The CEO acknowledged users' resistance to change, but the real issue was that users had built mental models that the redesign disregarded. Cognitive load plays a significant role in how users adapt to new designs. Research shows that when users are forced to relearn, they often perceive the experience as negative, regardless of the design's objective improvements. Familiarity influences user preference, as evidenced by the mere exposure effect: people tend to favor what they know. Netflix's redesign, initially criticized, eventually garnered higher user satisfaction over time. However, this adjustment period can be frustrating, as seen with Instagram's confusing navigation changes. Design improvements can feel uncomfortable during transitions. Users often experience change blindness, making it hard for them to articulate what feels wrong. Google Photos' removal of key editing tools in 2025 highlights this issue; users were frustrated by the extra steps required to access features they previously used easily. The article also touches on how these redesigns can be complicated by broader industry shifts, such as Duolingo's layoffs in 2023 as the company integrated AI. This context underscores the challenges designers face when attempting to change user experiences while managing expectations and familiarity.