Don Norman - Emotional Designs

In this video, Don Norman explains about emotional design. Emotional design is defined by designs which sparks some kind of reaction when people see it, even if it's useless or not as useful as other ordinary designs. He then went on to give examples, the first one is Phillip Starck Juicer by Alessi and the second one is the MINI COOPER automobile. Both has flaws but they're also interesting, and that makes the flaws not so unacceptable anymore. Although the gold-plated juicer cannot be used for making juices and the car has many faults, the aesthetics of both designs are exciting and different, it sparks a reaction from people.

I completely agree with his observations and view points, since I also think that pleasant design works better. The example (watches) that he has given proves that sometimes beautiful aesthetics triumphs over function. Even if an object is really functional but is not pleasing to look at, people will not wear/ use it, let alone buy it.

There are 2 designs that caught my attention the most; the ping pong table with an image of water and fishes projected on it, and the Jack Cress' chair.
Sure, the fishes are distracting the players from really focusing on the game, but it is fun and exciting to look at. I really like the Jack Cress' chair, and it is a good example of an emotional design -- people reacts instantly after seeing the image of the chair.

This is very important for industrial designers for them to know that sometimes design doesn't have to be all about function -- the appearance of the products matters too. Combining those 2 aspects of design is even better, just like the teapot which Don talked about in the video, the design is pleasing, interactive -- and it has a good function as well.


Image taken from: http://www.sd.polyu.edu.hk/de2008/images/day_images/don_norman.jpg

Video Available @
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlQEoJaLQRA