Design is More Than Function: Why Feeling Right Matters
When we think about technology, it’s easy to focus only on what it does. But good design isn’t just about function, it’s about how it feels. The readings “Emotion & Design: Attractive Things Work Better” and Her Code Got Humans on the Moon reminded me that emotion, perception, and clever design tricks shape how we interact with technology every day.
Take something as simple as a volume bar on your phone. On paper, 50% should be half the sound. But our ears don’t perceive sound linearly, they perceive it logarithmically. This means that a volume slider isn’t just a slider, it’s an emotional experience. Apple and Google realized this and adjusted the curves so that the volume feels smooth and natural to our ears. YouTube, by contrast, leaves most of the adjustment in the last 10%, making it feel unpredictable and frustrating.
Some designs don’t actually change the outcome but give the illusion of control. Elevators are a perfect example. About 80% of “close door” buttons don’t do anything, the door closes automatically, but the button makes users feel empowered. That illusion of control creates a better experience, even if it’s technically unnecessary. This is exactly the kind of trick designers use to shape our perception and emotions.
Another example from the transcript is the Nintendo Switch joycon mirrors. The solution was low-tech and simple: a small mirror to reflect the LED lights. It’s deceptively simple but brilliantly effective. It shows that design isn’t always about complexity, it’s about solving the human problem in a way that feels right.
Even everyday software hides these design decisions. Progress bars, icons, and animations are not just decorative, they are carefully crafted to keep users calm, informed, and engaged. Google tested 50 shades of blue to see which one users clicked most, and Apple uses subtle motion blur to make screens feel smoother. These small touches are invisible if done well, but they make a huge difference in the user experience.