Don Norman: 3 Ways Good Design Makes You Happy

Don Norman states the three levels of good design: Visceral level, Behavioral level, and Reflective. The visceral level is the enjoyment one receives from the visual design. To clarify this level Norman employs the example of the mini cooper: Although the overall design is made poorly, the design inside the car generates such pleasure it creates an enjoyable experience for the user. The behavioral level is where the human mind unconsciously accomplishes the most. This level is about usability, understanding, and feeling in control. The last level is the reflective level. This is the level that has little control in the brain. One can't control what they do, but it looks over certain things like a conscious. Pitting one against the other, the emotional will dominate the reflective, but this is where one must train one's mind to accept the reflective. Emotion is about interpreting the world, comparing the good v bad in our daily lives. All these levels create a good design that is beautifully unique and creates a sense of happiness for the viewer.

I found it interesting that intense fear paralyzes the brain, causing it to change its views on certain issues. If a person is anxious, the brain is more likely to fail in problem solving but when one has a happy mind set; it is more likely that the brain will succeed with problems that need to be solved. Bottom line the brain works differently based on one's mindset.