Well-designed objects shown to reduce strong negative feelings like anger and annoyance
Barcelona, Spain, February 24, 2014 – Surrounding ourselves with well-designed everyday objects can have the same positive effect on our mood and wellbeing as looking at a work of art or as doing exercise. A new global piece of research commissioned by HTC, a world leader in smartphone design and innovation, reveals that people feel happier looking at and using beautiful objects that work well. The results also show that being in a calmer and more contented state of mind can help fuel our creativity.
Key findings
The scientific study assessed the physical (biometric) responses of 2,177 participants from seven markets, by monitoring heart rate and sweat on skin, in addition to conducting a series of online creativity tests. Looking at and interacting with everyday objects that were ‘beautiful’, ‘functional’ or ‘beautiful and functional’ in the home and in the workplace revealed that:
The emotional impact of beauty and functionality
Dr. Simon Moore, Chartered Psychologist and Management Director of behavioural research agency Innovationbubble, explains: “Beauty induces stable long-term positive emotions and has a cathartic effect on negative emotions. Going for a walk in the countryside or on the beach can lift our mood. Looking at a brilliant photograph or a renowned painting can move us to tears. At the other end of the scale, high impact positive emotions – elation, excitement and delight – don’t last long. They can’t – they’re too exhausting to sustain and, as such, are not conducive to creativity.”
Dr Moore also remarked that many of the study’s participants consciously surrounded their work-stations or certain areas in their homes with beautiful objects:
Looking, admiring and touching well-designed objects act like an ‘emotional vitamin’ boosting our feelings of happiness and pleasure and buffering us against stress and tension. It’s no surprise then that design is a top global purchase driver for smartphones* since we carry them with us everywhere.
“At HTC, we’ve always known instinctively that good design is important. It’s not just about creating a gorgeous phone that looks and feels great – it is about understanding the impact that well designed everyday objects have on people’s emotions and behaviour. So we put it to the test, said Claude Zellweger, principal designer at HTC.
“And what that test revealed was an interesting fact: good design makes you happy. So when we craft an everyday object like the HTC One, that goes on to receive critical acclaim, we know that we have done something right, that we have designed a phone that consumers really want”.
Top tips to fuel happiness and creativity in all aspects of our busy and stressful lives by Dr Simon Moore:
Notes to editors:
About HTC
Founded in 1997, HTC Corporation (HTC) is the creator of many award-winning mobile devices and industry firsts. By putting people at the center of everything it does, HTC pushes the boundaries of design and technology to create innovative and personal experiences for consumers around the globe. HTC's portfolio includes smartphones and tablets powered by the HTC Sense® user experience. HTC is listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TWSE: 2498). For more information, please visit www.htc.com.