By Lena Groeger A few weeks ago, Snapchat released a new photograph filter. It appeared alongside many of the other such face-altering filters that have become a signature of the service. But instead of surrounding your face with flower petals or giving you the nose and ears of a Dalmatian, the filter added slanted eyes, puffed cheeks and large front teeth.

We've seen how design can keep us away from harm and save our lives. But there is a more subtle way that design influences our daily decisions and behavior - whether we know it or not. It's not sexy or trendy or flashy in any way. I'm talking about defaults.