Consistency is often hailed as a key principle in design, ensuring that users feel familiar and comfortable with interfaces. However, focusing too rigidly on consistency can sometimes lead to frustrating experiences. Instead, prioritizing context — designing experiences that adapt to a user's current needs and environment — leads to more intuitive and effective solutions.

Consider this: a design that's consistent but lacks context can become rigid, forcing users through a uniform flow that doesn’t always fit their situation. Imagine an app that requires you to follow the same steps every time you log in, even when you’re in a rush or using it on a different device. Consistency here is a hindrance.

Contextual design, on the other hand, understands that users interact with products in varying scenarios and adjusts accordingly. For instance, if a user is accessing your app during a high-stress situation, streamlined navigation with fewer clicks might be more valuable than following a strict design pattern. By embracing context, you anticipate the user’s state of mind, needs, and goals at any given moment, creating a more personalized and relevant experience.

Ultimately, context-driven design enhances usability, promotes flexibility, and meets users where they are. It acknowledges that users don’t always follow the same path, and that their needs evolve. Consistency is important, but context is what truly elevates user experiences.