Don Norman: Emotional Design

People’s state of mind often functions subconsciously rather than consciously. Don Norman pointed this out very effectively with his own theory of emotion using human behavior in relation to designs and or situations. It is very interesting discovery that people see things and appreciate it without knowing its actual purpose. Sometimes, we just favor things for just for the sake of favoring it. For example, a branded trendy product appeal more to us than the anonymous ones. Thus, ‘pleasant things are more likely to work well’ which effectively proves Norman’s theory of behavior. There is nothing wrong with it however, seeing things consciously make us see transcendentally through that particular product in front of us. Meaning, we don't just compliment its aesthetics or the quality of the product but we also acknowledge its deeper context which for us designers I think is extremely crucial. It reminds me a bit of this poem called "Paris" by Ted Hughes a famous English poet that consciously appreciate France's signature landmarks and arts but at the same time acknowledging its deep history.

       In this video, Norman changed my perspective about anxiety. It is a crucial discovery for me that anxiety is now a behaviour that leads a person to become more focus to their next action. In comparison to ‘being happy’ we tend to act more loosely and brain is not as focus. I definitely agree in this point of view expressed by Norman for the reason being that I myself do experience it all the time from past, possibly in the present and definitely in future experience.

        I and probably everyone do think the same in terms of choosing to listen to that ‘another voice inside our heads’ rather than that of our intellectual side to make decisions and again, another subconscious action. This video made me think that designers should design things that they love so the world will love it too, that designers should experience fun while constructing their products so the world can have fun with it too and designers should learn to appreciate other’s design 'consciously' rather than 'subconsciously' so the world can learn to see things consciously through one’s design. In that way, we as designers can design things in accordance to the needs of the world and not just designing products because we like it ourselves. Don Norman’s video communicates his theory of emotion in relation to design very effectively which also delivers surprising lessons for all of us.