It is fascinating how some design choices might change entirely how we interact with a product or object. I think the "form follow function" maxim has it's use, but it's only part of the answer when it comes to interacting with inanimate things.
The other 50% of the equation is usually something related to an emotional response, which I wouldn't doubt these faces provoke. "Form follows emotion", is another really interesting concept that I've been giving a good amount of thought lately.
How can I incorporate function, sure, but also emotion and friendliness into things that otherwise would just be useful but not loved.
I agree. I designed a data analytics app and had an idea to visualize a complex multi-metric aggregated score using Chernoff faces for exactly the same reason. We never tested it though.
Great essay @repponen
It is fascinating how some design choices might change entirely how we interact with a product or object. I think the "form follow function" maxim has it's use, but it's only part of the answer when it comes to interacting with inanimate things.
The other 50% of the equation is usually something related to an emotional response, which I wouldn't doubt these faces provoke. "Form follows emotion", is another really interesting concept that I've been giving a good amount of thought lately.
How can I incorporate function, sure, but also emotion and friendliness into things that otherwise would just be useful but not loved.
I agree. And I think to a large degree a lot of companies started making things useful, but not loved.
I agree. I designed a data analytics app and had an idea to visualize a complex multi-metric aggregated score using Chernoff faces for exactly the same reason. We never tested it though.
Thanks for providing this example!