Entering the Age of Emotional Design

For decades, design has been measured by two yardsticks: function and form. Does it work? Does it look good? Today, another measure is gaining equal importance: how does it make us feel? We are entering the age of emotional design.

- Anirudh Datta

An object that functions perfectly but leaves us cold is incomplete. A building that impresses with form but alienates with scale is a failure of feeling. Emotional design recognizes that beyond utility and beauty, the true impact of design lies in its ability to move us—to comfort, delight, inspire, or connect.

Feeling at the Heart of Everyday Objects

Take the family dining table. Technically, any flat surface with legs could serve the function. But a well-designed table carries more. It creates warmth, encourages gathering, and becomes a stage for memory. That is emotional design.

Or consider a chair. Beyond ergonomics, a chair can make us feel playful, powerful, relaxed, or contemplative. Its curves, materials, and proportions all contribute to emotion. A velvet armchair is not just soft, it is indulgent. A metal stool is not just firm, it is assertive. These emotional cues are deliberate, reflecting a growing understanding of psychology in design.

Architecture as Emotional Experience