My research has evolved over the years, as technology has evolved. My design practice and research has become much more aware of the user and what motivates them, and how it impacts their experience.

My research as an assistant professor and a designer has focused on the field of emotional engineering and its implications for user experience (UX) design. Over the course of my career and especially in my teachings, I have dedicated myself to understanding how design choices, especially typography, color, and specific design elements can influence users’ emotions and shape their overall experience. By consciously considering and implementing these design decisions, I aim to create user-centric outcomes that enhance the emotional connection between users and the products and services they interact with.

Background and Significance:

In today’s digital era, where technology permeates every aspect of our lives, the importance of creating meaningful and engaging user experiences cannot be overlooked or downplayed. While functionality and usability remain essential, research has shown that emotions play a crucial role in shaping users’ perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors towards products and services. Emotional engineering, as a multidisciplinary field, provides a framework to harness the power of emotions in the design process and create positive user experiences that resonate on a deeper level.

Research Objectives:

My research seeks to explore the intricate relationship between design choices and user emotions in order to inform and guide the creation of impactful user experiences.

Investigation of the Emotional Impact of Typography Choices

Typography is a fundamental aspect of design, influencing not only the legibility and readability of text but also the emotional responses it elicits. I have conducted empirical studies examining how different typographic elements, such as font style, size, and spacing, influence users’ emotional states and cognitive processing. This research provides evidence-based guidelines allowing designers to make informed typographic choices that align with the intended emotional experience. This is presented to my classes as well, as students consider their typographic choices.

Explore the Role of Color in Shaping Emotional Responses

Color is a powerful tool that can evoke a wide range of emotions and create specific psychological associations. Through experimental studies and user surveys, I investigate the emotional impact of color choices in design and examine how different color palettes and combinations influence users’ affective states. The findings contribute to the development of color guidelines that I use in my work to evoke desired emotional responses.

Analyze the Influence of Design Elements on Emotional Experience

Design elements, such as shape, lines, and imagery contribute significantly to the visual appeal and emotional impact of a design. By conducting observational studies and user tests, I examine how these design elements influence users’ emotional responses and the subsequent user experience.

Methodology and Expected Outcomes

My research employs a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods, including controlled experiments, user surveys, eye-tracking studies, and user testing sessions. By integrating insights from psychology, cognitive science, and design theory, I have been able to make informed design decision and contributions to the field of emotional engineering. In the two applications that I have worked on over the last five years, this research has been invaluable as I designed for two different audiences with very different intended outcomes.

The expected outcomes of my research include:

• Evidence-based guidelines for typography choices that enhance emotional experiences.
• Color palettes and combinations that elicit desired emotional responses.
• Design principles and recommendations for incorporating specific elements to shape emotional experiences.
• Publications in leading conferences and journals to disseminate research findings.
• Collaborations with industry partners to apply research insights in real-world design practices.
• The cultivation of a research lab dedicated to emotional engineering and user experience design.

By investigating the emotional impact of design choices, my research aims to bridge the gap between emotion and design to create user experiences that are meaningful, engaging, and memorable. Through a rigorous scientific approach, I seek to contribute to the field of emotional engineering, inform design practices, and inspire future research in the domain of UX design. In addition, this direction of research can have a direct impact on the mental health of the user. Ultimately, my goal is to empower designers with the knowledge and tools to consciously design emotional experiences that positively impact users.