How To Create Emotional UI Design

Humans are emotional creatures. We love being entertained anywhere and every day. That is why a product can be considered successful if it elicits an emotional response in the users, making them find better solutions, be creative, and feel good. And of course, an attractive product works better.

Mobile apps are products that must not be boring. In order for an app to be successful, it should, at least, include emotional components to generate some sort of empathy. It is not about filling every app with a bunch of aesthetic elements but building catchy feel/look that makes users relate to and communicate with. How do I do this, you may ask? The answer is shockingly simple: A spotless UI design. In this article, we will shed light on some of the secrets to creating an emotional UI design that makes an app even more useful for its users. Let’s get started!

What is Emotional UI?

Undoubtedly, performance is a king. This is what is referred to as the central and critical aspect of any application. Apps need to work well and solve our problems. However, there are numerous applications we use daily that are difficult to navigate. Despite this, we continue using them because we are attached to them somehow or there are no real alternatives on the market. Think of those banking apps that are usually too uncomfortable and complex. But you do know what’s even less comfortable then using a banking app, don’t you? Yep, that’s having to actually go to the bank. But when it comes to the real competition, the only possible solution is to start betting on differentiation.

Beyond the application’s flawless performance, achieving some degree of empathy between the users and the app is a great way to bring in more users. Emotions are crucial and inseparable part of our cognitive process. That is why the development of a user-centered UI design requires accommodating decorative components that appeal to emotions of the audience.

A well-crafted app is the one that comes with an easily decipherable functionality, evokes positive emotions, and maintains a sense of identity. These three properties combined lead to emotional UI design. This is what really triggers customers to engage with an app. And this is what makes a difference when opportunities for differentiation are limited.

How to Build an Emotional UI Design?

Generally, emotional design is all about designing pleasurable products. When it comes to achieving a more emotional UI design, there are several important aspects to consider:

1. Use of Mascots

Mascots are little, cute creatures that can make your app more engaging, fun, trustworthy, and personal. They are pretty-designed characters that are supposed to strengthen the sense of belonging to your app by evoking sympathy for it. Mascots are known in the design industry since its early days. Think of Clippy – Microsoft Office assistant. He was very annoying, too bright, jumping all in your face, and making you lose focus. That is probably one of the best examples of how not to do a character. However, it should not discourage you from personifying your product with the help of lifelike Mascots as it is a great way to elicit a positive user reaction. The only crucial thing that Clippy has taught us is that under any circumstances you should not make your mascot appear as uninvited!

2. Humor

Humor is all about connecting with users. Humor is what can improve your UI/UX design. People are used to and enjoy memes and funny gifs. Incorporating humor in your app is a great idea that will definitely surprise your auditory with something they were not expecting. But it is important to keep an even tone while maintaining the branding you have worked so hard to build! When many apps feel and look the same across the web, humor is what will set your UI/UX design apart from your competitors and make your product memorable.

3. Gamification

We have already discussed the role of gamification in design in one of our previous articles. It is still at the forefront of triggering positive emotional responses by gently persuading users to do certain actions (e.g., purchase in-app products). User engagement and clear data visualization are critical to successful UI/UX.

4. Animation

A bit of animation is a must-have element for a high-quality UI design. It looks spontaneously and naturally. Animations can not only capture the users’ attention but also to guide them through the app. Shazam is a perfect example of how to implement smooth animation into UI.

5. Illustrations

Illustrations are personal, imaginative, playful, witty, and worth a thousand words. They are capable of communicating more than what is directly related to the topic you are dealing with. The use of illustrations deliver critical information and attract users’ attention in a natural way, humanizing the problem (if any) and adding a bit of humor.

Key Takeaways

A great performance is no longer enough for a successful UI design. Apps are dealing with repetitive operations, so their performance is just what is expected by default. However, emotional elements are exactly what you need to make your app great again. At Loonar Studios, we understand the importance of emotional UI design. Believe us, your app does not have to be boring. And we know how to make it interesting and emotionally appealing. Contact us for a free quote!

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