Don Norman: 3 Ways Good Design Makes You Happy

Today I watched the talk '3 Ways Good Design Makes You Happy' by Don Norman. The talk was interesting in being able to understand how our behaviour and emotions have an impact on what we design and what we see as 'good' design, I think considering your emotions and other peoples emotions is extremely important as a designer in order to create successful design.

Whilst watching the talk, I made notes on points which  I found important and useful towards me as a designer:

Emotional:

If you type into google ‘Emotion and design’ google has taken the logo and spread it out so it fits the 10 pages instead of saying ‘you got 73,000 results’ they made it more fun instead by giving you as many O’s as there are pages. This is how clever design catches the audiences eye.

Pleasant things work better.

A psychologist did an experiment where she brought students in to solve problems with objects. None of the students could solve the problem, she then brought in a different group where she offered them a box of sweets first which initially put them in a happier mood which somehow meant that they were able to solve the problem. ‘When you’re happy you squirt dopamine...which makes you better at solving problems, you do out of the box thinking’ which relates to what brainstorming is about, your mind is free with no criticism which is how you get all your neat ideas.

However, with these ideas and to get work done you have to set yourself deadlines and be anxious. Happiness=creativity

Behavioural:

Most of what we do is subconscious, relating to behavioural design. It’s all about feeling in control which includes usability and understanding.

Reflective:

The little part of the brain which has no control over anything, it’s that little voice in your head that is a state of consciousness. For example you'll buy an expensive branded watch so that you can impress people instead of an older digital watch which probably keeps better time than the expensive watch, but it’s ugly. ‘You pick the fear of falling against the reflective state which says it’s okay and it’s safe’ it’s picking one against the other.