When we create products, we often do it to solve a specific issue or to simplify a task.  But when we design, do we keep the end user’s emotional response as a goal?

The following article (although based on web design, it extends to all forms of Product and Automotive Design) is a great look at what being “in the zone” means:  not only for us when we are designing, but for the user when they are experiencing our creation.  This feeling of being in the zone baits the user to experience more, learn from their experience, and try once again.  The cyclical “baiting” of the user allows them to enjoy (and ultimately recommend) a product more often.  Sometimes, over-simplifying a task dumbs-down the experience for the user to the point where using a product becomes a chore rather than an extension of their continued involvement.

Do you design for emotion and flow?  Or do you design to solve a problem, to get from point “A” to point “B” in the fastest, easiest way?

Article: Designing for Emotion and Flow

In this state of consciousness, people often experience intense concentration and feelings of enjoyment, coupled with peak performance. Hours pass by in what seems like minutes. We tend to enter these states in environments with few interruptions, where our attention becomes focused by a challenge that we’re confident we can handle with our existing skills. Feedback is instantaneous, so we can always judge how close we are to accomplishing our task and reaching our goal. The importance of the task influences our level of motivation and perceptions of how difficult the task will be…

For the complete article, visit Boxes and Arrows.