April 16, 2019 — Story structure can be the lens through which we view websites. It helps us step into the user’s shoes and understand where and how users interact with our websites. We, web professionals and site owners, are characters in their story and it’s about time we acted like it. Read more…

May 24, 2017 — As designers, we often use imagery that resonates with our audience. Yet, often we also end up with stock photos and generic icons that come across as mere decoration. Or we bypass imagery altogether. But custom images are a powerful design tool. They can tell a story and convey a distinct personality. Custom illustrations can be especially impactful. They can make our audience feel personally connected to an app or website, while being an integral part of the design. Read more…

April 20, 2016 — Emotions aren’t a problem to be solved. People are complicated. People change. People are often a little conflicted. Algorithms can have a hard time with that. Emotion-sensing data promises to balance machine logic with a more human touch, but it won’t be successful without human designers. Read more…

April 11, 2014 — Globalization, low-cost technologies and saturated markets are making products and services interchangeable and barely distinguishable. As a result, today’s brands must go beyond face value and tap into consumers’ deepest subconscious emotions to win the marketplace. Read more…

September 2, 2013 — Of the many factors that must be considered in Web design, emotional interaction is an important, but frequently neglected, component. In the real world, we experience the sensual interaction of design all the time. Read more…

July 18, 2012 — Today we’ll have a look at a few projects in which the consistent use of the well-known term “emotional design” can result in a great personality. Positive attitude often leads to people sharing and even advocating for your product with their peers. Read more…

April 12, 2012 — Emotional design has become a powerful tool in creating exceptional user experiences for websites. However, emotions did not use to play such an important role on the Web. Actually, they did not use to play any role at all; rather, they were drowned by a flood of rational functionality and efficiency. Read more…

March 28, 2012 — What is it that makes us loyal fans of the websites and apps we love? When we sat down to answer this question for ourselves, we found that the websites and apps we truly love have one thing in common: soul. Read more…

March 28, 2012 — We are very happy to present a sample chapter by Aarron Walter from the upcoming printed Smashing Book #3. In this chapter, Aarron explains how sharing our personalities can help us create lasting relationships with users, and how it can improve the bottom line of our business. The sample is also available for free download in PDF, EPUB and MobiPocket. Read more…

February 9, 2012 — Before the very first page of a book has been read, you’ve already analyzed it in countless ways without even noticing. The paper stock, the thickness of the binding, the aroma, the color of the type and even the texture of the cover; the very character of the book is being dissected by the hand and eye at every moment. Read more…