Emotional Design Book Summary - Emotional Design Book explained in key points
Listen to the Intro
00:00

Better than a summary

Emotional Design summary

Donald A. Norman

Why We Love (or Hate) Everyday Things

  • 3.4 (285 ratings)
  • 4 mins
  • 2 Key ideas
  • Audio & text
Get started

No credit card required · Cancel anytime

Emotional Design by Donald A. Norman explains how design impacts our emotions and behavior. It highlights the importance of aesthetics, enjoyment, and usability in creating products that connect with users on a deeper level.

Table of Contents

Emotional Design
Summary of 2 key ideas

Audio & text in the Blinkist app

Key ideas in Emotional Design

  1. 1
  2. 2

Key idea 1 of 2

One big idea: Don’t underestimate the power of design.

Welcome to this Big Idea Blink. For this type of Blink, our editors choose one thought-provoking insight from a book so you can learn something new within just a few minutes.

This time, the idea we’d like to talk about is that even seemingly simple choices like selecting a bottled water brand are influenced by complex thought processes. We often underestimate the impact that design has on our decision-making. 

Let’s dive in.

Get the key ideas from 9,000+ bestselling books

Get started

No credit card required · Cancel anytime

More knowledge in less time

  • Read or listen

    Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.

  • Find your next read

    Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.

  • Shortcasts

    We've teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.

What is Emotional Design about?

Emotional Design (2003) delves into how emotions influence our interactions with everyday objects. It explores the three levels of design – visceral, behavioral, and reflective – and how they affect our perceptions, use, and memories of products. This book reveals the importance of these elements in creating designs that not only function well but also create emotional connections with users.

Emotional Design Review

Emotional Design (2004) explores the fascinating connection between emotion and design, offering valuable insights into how design impacts our lives. Here's why this book is worth reading:

  • It uncovers the hidden power of design, revealing how it evokes emotions and influences our behavior.
  • The book delves into real-life examples and case studies, illustrating the impact of emotional design on products, services, and experiences.
  • Combining psychology, design, and technology, the book provides a comprehensive understanding of designing products that elicit positive emotional responses.

Who should read Emotional Design?

  • Design enthusiasts
  • Marketing professionals
  • Product developers
Buy on Amazon

About the author

Donald A. Norman is a renowned author and cognitive scientist, particularly noted for his work in user-centered design. His significant contributions to the field include the book The Design of Everyday Things. Norman’s expertise lies in bridging the gap between people and the complexity of technology, making everyday interactions more intuitive and effective.

Categories with Emotional Design

Book summaries like Emotional Design

People ❤️ Blinkist

Become a member of our community of 43 million people

4.76App Store

96k ratings

4.5Google Play

73k ratings

Laura H.

When I saw Blinkist had produced an infographic style Blink for the Rich Dad, Poor Dad book, it was a good reminder of the concepts I loved.

Jonathan A.

Clearly communicates the value proposition of the most popular book summaries and offers a relatable, tangible template that I can use immediately.

Renee D.

I'm absolutely thrilled that Blinkist now offers infographics! I can't get enough of them—they're such a fun and effective way to grasp and remember key points.

Get started

People also liked these summaries

Trusted by the world's leading brands

brand logos from TikTok, Booking.com, Microsoft, Lyft, Babbel, Tier, LinkedIn, and Zalando

Powerful ideas from top nonfiction

Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.

Get started

Emotional Design FAQs

The main message of Emotional Design is that emotions play a crucial role in our experience with products and influence our decision-making.

The reading time for Emotional Design varies depending on the reader, but it typically takes several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.

Emotional Design is worth reading as it provides valuable insights about the impact of emotions on design and user experience.

Donald A. Norman is the author of Emotional Design.

Featured Titles