Don Norman: Emotional Design

URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlQEoJaLQRA

In this video, Don Norman is telling designers to design things thats not just functional, but pretty as well. As he said, people used to say "norman is ok. but if you followed what he said, everything would be usable but it would be ugly." He then explained how adding emotion to design make things so different. "When you're happy, you're more creative." It is so true that psychology affects alot on how we choose to buy something. He said "I dont know what it is, but i want it." This kind of thoughts always appears in our minds, when we saw something that looks unsual, fun and eye catching.

Norman then moved on to explain the 3 ways of thinking to deisgn an emotional product:

-Visceral
The visual appearance of a product is the first impression that gives consumers. As we all make assumptions subconsciously, a very appealing visual appearance will attracts us to look furthur into it. It may also a major factor that causes us want to buy it. Again, like what Norman said "I dont know what it is, but i want it." Humans are built in brains to like things that appeals to them.

-Behavioural
This is depends on the product if it's designed user friendly. If the user can control the product confidently. Behavioural experience is achieved through how the product intereacts with each individuals, so it must be thoughtfully through how the user will want to use without knowing anything about the product.

-Reflective
It's a subconscious analysis on whether the user will like the product or not. It's about the image that the society gives the product, not necessary the actual product. Which also means, a successful design is not just about functional, asthetic, emotion, but it's also about the connection with the society, with the people.

This video really opened up my mind on designing a product. Designing is not simply just to design something new, but it's to design things that we live with, that can bring fun and convenience to the world. Psychology is also another to look into when designing things.