In our minds, at least one time our mind would raise a question that What is the psychology of everyday things? What the reason of shaping such an iPhone or the comfort level of some chairs that we love. You might be attracted by the design of some of the buildings. The attraction might be due to many factors but the major are design and comfort level. Comfort level means How things are arranged or furnished? How these everyday things impact on our minds. There is a hidden power behind all of these everyday things and that is the power of Psychology. So let’s explore the psychology of everyday things in our life.
Understanding Human-Centered Design
Human-centered design (HCD) is a framework that places the user value at the peak of the design process. This design is completed by keeping the customer in mind from the A to Z design process path. This framework include psychological insights to create products that are not only functional but also enjoyable to use.
Cognitive Load is the part of HCD. Designers aim to minimize the cognitive load on the user. Cognitive load is the amount of work-done by the user mind to use the product. For example, the remote of our TV. All the numeric button are placed together in a group to reduce the searching of buttons. If the buttons are not grouped together then the user may irritate from the remote.
Affordance is another term use in the design process. This concept refer to the actual properties of the device or object that determine How possibly could it be used? For example, the door handle, etc.
The Role of Perception in Design
Perception refers to the ability to see, listen and get understanding of anything through our senses. Perception plays an important role in how we interact with the objects. Designers uses the principle of visual perception to create effective and appealing products.
Gestalt principle explain how we organize visual elements into groups. For example, buttons that are same in shape and color perceived similar functions
Another thing is the Color Psychology. Colors bring emotions in user. For example, red is the sign of emergency or error. Blue is often used in technology product to convey trust and reliability.
Emotional Design
Emotional responses can significantly affects the user satisfaction and brand loyalty. Designers uses this technique to feel user the basic functionality of the product.
Visceral Design refers to the immediate emotional reaction of the user towards the appearance of the product. For example, the sleek and aesthetic pleasing design create a positive impression. We may also call it as “First Sight Love.”
Behavioral Design focuses on the pleasure of using a product. For example, a coffee maker not only brew coffee efficiently but also have a pleasure design and easy maintenance. This provide a satisfying user experience through its easy operation and maintenance.
Reflective Design reflect the meaning of a brand. This level of design has an attached significance and meaning of the brand. For example, high-end watches, often valued not valued not for just timekeeping but also for the craftsmanship and the status they offer.
Usability and User Experience (UX)
Usability and User Experience are the important components of the design that highly rely on the psychological principles.
Usability Testing involves the experience of the real user, How the user react with the product? It includes the identification of weak points of the design and areas of improvement. It also provide invaluable insights into user behavior and preferences.
Feedback help user to understand that the action has been completed. For example, sound or vibration when a button is click, informed the user that the action has been completed.
Case Studies
- Apple iPhone
Apple has integrated psychological principles in the design of iPhone which is the core reason of iPhone’s success. It satisfying click of on-screen button and touch interface, all contribute to a superior user interface. - Google Search Interface
As google is designed for search. So it has a clean and minimalist search page to reduce cognitive load from the user and increases the focus of the user in on their task reducing distractions. So all this process is according to the rule of psychology. - Amazon One-Click Ordering
Amazon One-Click Ordering is a prime example of psychological principles. Simple design reduces the cognitive load. Speed of one-click ordering results impulse buying. - Netflix Personalized Recommendations
Netflix recommendation system increases the user engagement. By analysis of viewing habits and preferences, Netflix recommend movies that align with the user tastes.
How we interact with Objects?
Physical interactions
Physical interaction include three things. One is the Affordance. Suppose an example of a chair. When you see a chair, it gives you signs of sitting. A handle gives the sign of pulling or pushing. Also a button gives the sign to press it. So it conclude that the property of an object that gives signs of its use is called affordance.
Now the other thing is Ergonomics. Suppose an example of a chair. A mature human could not be sit on a child chair. Because of the size of the chair. Now suppose an example of a cycle. There is also a difference of size and movement of human beings with the object. Good ergonomics design reduces strain and increases efficiency and comfort.
Last one is Physical Feedback. Now assume that you have pressed a button. And in response, button made some voice of click. Or rather than on a fan or light.so in this case, the object gives a response against our action. This is called Physical Feedback.
Cognitive Interactions
Cognitive interactions refer to the mental models, signifiers and visibility. Mental model refers to the working of an object based on the understanding and expectations. For example, How an object should perform function? Designers aim to align their design with these perspective.
Moreover, signifiers are the cues in the design which tells about the functionality of the object. For example, when we see a red sign, it indicates to stop. Also an arrow shows the directions of route. The red button indicates the stop or emergency button.
The functionality of an object should be easily visible. The controls are properly marked. Example of a start and stop button. It will reduce the cognitive load on the user.
Emotional Interactions
Emotional interaction include the aesthetics, emotional design and user experience. Aesthetics means the visual appeal of the device or object. It affect the user willingness to interact with it. Attractive design promote the positive emotions and satisfaction.
Emotional design refers to the design which create an emotional connection between the user and the object.
User experience is an important factor to include in emotional interactions. For example, we click to a website that has a poor interface or its loading time is too much, then next time we will never click to that website again.
Frequently Asked Question (FAQ)
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How do cognitive biases influence product design?
Cognitive biases can significantly influence product design by affecting how user interact with the product.
User Experience Design: designers uses cognitive biases to create more effective and engaging products that enhances user experience. For example, using Hick’s Law to simplify choices or the Von Restorff effect to make key elements stand out
Decision Making: in this method, we often uses social proof or endorsement because people tend to do things that most people are doing also named as Bandwagon Effect.
Anchoring: these designs have a reference point (anchors) for pricing or features, where user rely on the first piece of information offered. -
How does the Psychology of Everyday Things impact our decision-making?
Donald Norman introduced the concept of the psychology of everyday things often refer as “The Design of Everyday Things”. Here are the some key ways the design impact us:
Affordances and Signifiers: Objects communicate how to use them, influencing decision-making by making actions intuitive.
Mapping: Clear relationships between controls and outcomes help users make decisions by simplifying interaction.
Feedback: Immediate responses from interactions guide decision-making by reinforcing or correcting actions.
Constraints: Design limits options to prevent errors and guide decisions towards desired outcomes.
Visibility: Easy access to relevant information supports informed decision-making by making critical details readily available.
Conceptual Models: Design shapes users’ mental models, helping anticipate outcomes and make decisions confidently. -
What role does the Psychology of Everyday Things play in product design?
The psychology of everyday things, or the principles of good design plays a crucial role in product design in several ways like usability, user experience, error prevention, decision making and innovation etc.
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What are some common psychological principles used in user interface (UI) design?
There are several common psychological principles used in user interface (UI) design to enhance usability, engagement and satisfaction in which Gestalt Law, Hick’s Law, Fitt’s Law, MIller’s Law, Visual Hierarchy, Progressive Disclosure, Aesthetic-usability effect, social proof, defaults and Loss aversion are most common.
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Why is it important to study the Psychology of Everyday Things?
Studying the Psychological Principles of everyday things, or the principle of design is important for several reason like enhanced user experience, reduced cognitive load, error reduction, increased efficiency, innovation and differentiation, user trust and engagement, business success etc.
Conclusion
By the intersection of the psychology of everyday things and design, functionality meets the human emotions and cognition. By understanding and applying psychological principles, designers can create not effective but attractive designs that gives delightful experience to the user. As importance of technology is growing exponentially, the need of psychological principles in design also increases. Ensure that the products are as much user friendly as possible.