Feelings First: How Emotion Shapes Art, Architecture, and UX Design

?? Why I’m Writing About This:

Ever walked into a space, looked at a piece of art, or used an app and felt something? Maybe it was awe, calm, or frustration (hello, clunky interfaces ??). Lately, I’ve been thinking about how much of design isn’t just about what we see or use—it’s about what we feel.

This topic hit me after reminiscing about my work on fan experiences and the emotional highs and lows of designing for sports arenas, and how every choice—from the architecture to the UX—was about creating moments that stick. So here we are, diving into the role of emotion in design across mediums. Let’s explore how we can intentionally create designs that resonate.

Take 1: Art ??

Designing to Stir the Soul

Art is pure emotion—and that’s what makes it unforgettable. Think Van Gogh’s “Starry Night,” where the swirling skies tug at your heart. Or Banksy’s “Girl with a Balloon,” which conveys hope and loss in a single stroke. In my own work with AI-driven creative tools, I’ve seen firsthand how training models with diverse, emotion-rich datasets can bring humanity to generative art. But when data lacks depth, the results feel cold and uninspired—more mechanical than meaningful. Emotional depth is what turns art from “cool” to “can’t-look-away.”

?? Takeaway:

Art reminds us that design’s first job isn’t perfection—it’s connection.

Take 2: Architecture ??

Spaces That Hug You Back

Great architecture isn’t just functional—it feels like something. Cathedrals inspire awe, libraries whisper calm, and stadiums buzz with energy. Working at Populous, I designed stadiums where every seat, walkway, and sound system was crafted to amplify the collective thrill of being a fan. On the flip side, poorly designed spaces—like overly crowded lobbies or sterile corporate offices—sap energy instead of elevating it. Ever been in a space that made you instantly want to leave? That’s emotional design, or lack thereof, in action.

?? Takeaway:

Emotionally intelligent design creates spaces that don’t just serve; they stay with you.

Take 3: UX Design ??

Turning Frustration into Flow

Ever rage-quit an app? That’s emotional design failing you. UX isn’t just about ease of use; it’s about crafting joy in every tap, swipe, and scroll. One of my favourite examples is Duolingo, with its quirky animations and playful reminders—it transforms learning into a dopamine hit. At TrustCloud, I worked on simplifying complex workflows, ensuring enterprise users felt confident and empowered instead of overwhelmed. Contrast that with frustrating apps that drown you in pop-ups or broken navigation—it’s the difference between “delight” and “delete.”

?? Takeaway:

UX isn’t just about being user-friendly; it’s about creating experiences that users can truly feel.

?? Bonus Content:

Want to dive deeper? Check out:

? The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle for insights on the emotional impact of being present—key in design too.

? The architecture of Bjarke Ingels, who blends playful joy with futuristic functionality.

? The whimsical worlds of Studio Ghibli for lessons on crafting emotion-rich experiences.

Closing Thought:

Design without emotion is like coffee without caffeine—functional, sure, but where’s the spark? Whether you’re sketching a concept, building a space, or coding a feature, remember this: People may forget what they see, but they’ll never forget how it made them feel.

?? Let’s Talk Feelings:

What’s a design (big or small) that made you feel something? Share your story—I’d love to hear it!

Keep a lookout for my next post on Medium where I cover my learnings from the books and other places.

Check out other recent posts of mine -

The Rebel Architect Who Bent the World to her Curves - was published in the top sweet picks by editors from sweet publications.

Toddlers, Toast, and Task Flows: How Daily Chaos Inspires Great Design - that was published in Practice in Public publication