FROM FUNCTION TO EMOTIONS IN UX DESIGN

Summary from the TLDR Design newsletter

Google's Material 3 Expressive design system reflects a shift toward creating emotional connections through design. Research shows that expressive designs perform better across usability and user satisfaction metrics. Don Norman's three levels of emotional processing (visceral, behavioral, and reflective) and Aarron Walter's Hierarchy of User Needs demonstrate that emotional design must build upon functional, reliable, and usable foundations. Emotional design helps products stand out in competitive markets by creating lasting user connections and increasing engagement and loyalty beyond basic functionality.