Designing for Emotion: Personality

After reading Chapter 3 of Designing For Emotion I learned about how much you and your audience’s personality should be reflected in any kind of design. I especially agreed with a specific quote from the chapter that addressed the issue of design as something fake to draw people in to your product or organization. “Let’s think of our designs not as a facade for interaction, but as people with whom our audience can have an inspired conversation” (Walter, 29). Often I find that people view public relations campaigns, advertisements and other activities as ways to bring people in because they want their audience’s money. Instead, the author redefines design as a way to give your audience a clear and honest picture of your organization. A design that invites your audience in to participate makes your audience an active public who can explore the depths of your organization in an enjoyable way, and it truly creates an honest depiction of your organization’s mission and values.

Something I didn’t agree with is that people will always connect with design the way the designer hopes. While we are all people who can relate in many ways, sometimes the intention of a design, or the personality is trying to come across may be completely misinterpreted by some publics. People from different backgrounds and experiences may not find the personality positive, or may see it differently than the designer intended. I think portraying personality is very important, but I think it should be something that is backed with thorough research and understanding of all publics involved. Just because I want my personality to come out through a design does not always mean someone will have an accurate understanding of my personality through it, because elements of my design may hold a different meaning in the mind of the viewer.