The article that we read over this weekend had three main themes: visceral design, behavioral design, and reflective design. Norman discussed how people are attracted to certain products based on these three elements. The way things look, the way they make you feel, and how they function.
How does this chapter compare to the earlier writing (The Design of Everyday Things) by the same author?
When I read this article I thought it was another chapter from the same book the other chapter came from. The psychological and emotional aspects of design are extremely similar. Both focus on how people respond, react, and relate to different designs.
Give examples, from your own experience, of 1) something that succeeds as Visceral Design, 2) something that succeeds as Behavioral Design, and 3) a Reflective Design success? What do you think makes each thing successful?
1,2,3) Every year my family goes to the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS). I think that the concept of the having hundreds new automobiles from all over the world in one building is a perfect example of success in all three categories. The Visceral Design element is blatantly obvious. All the shiny, sleek cars under the spotlights with attractive men and women readily available to answer any question you may have about anything makes people stop and stare at least for a few seconds. But the Behavioral Design is also prevalent. When you sit inside a car at NAIAS, you get some receptive feedback. People may find themselves thinking, about the features as a whole or something as little as the clock on the dashboard, or even trunk space and how it will be utilized and how easily it can be done. The reflective design can be seen in the innovative concept cars. Every year it is interesting to see how they can make something so crazy looking, and still be functional.
I think your example in the last question about the auto show is really interesting. I like how you related the three categories of design into one experience, and it makes sense. The exact purpose of an auto show is to make people say, "Wow! I want that," but to also show them that these cars have more to them than just outward attraction. The inside of the car, the controls, how it functions, are all selling points. And then the reflective part of design is a constant presence because people find themselves wishing they had an expensive, designer car to impress their friends or to make themselves appear wealthy and trendy.
ReplyDeleteI as well like your last example of the car show, and how all three types of designs are encompassed. What else makes the cars behavioral? Behind the sleek outward appearance, do they function successfully? I think what also makes these cars Reflective is the fact that people want others to see them driving them, which is pretty obvious.
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