This paper suggests a framework for mining subjectively interesting pattern sets that is based on two components: (1) the encoding of prior information in a model for the data miner’s state of mind; (2) the search for a pattern set that is maximally informative while efficient to convey to the data miner. We illustrate the framework with an instantiation for tile patterns in binary databases where prior information on the row and column marginals is available. This approach implements step (1) above by constructing the MaxEnt model with respect to the prior information [2, 3], and step (2) by relying on concepts from information and coding theory. We provide a brief overview of a number of possible extensions and future research challenges, including a key challenge related to the design of empirical evaluations for subjective interestingness measures.