The Emoticon Turns 25 :-)
I’d like to wish a happy belated birthday to the smiley face emoticon, which recently turned 25! Wow! Has it really been that long? The emoticon doesn’t look a day over 21… 
Emotion, Automobiles and Personality
“To some people, a car is a kind of extension of the self—it seems to send a message about what kind of person one is and one’s sense of values and style.” Designers have been using an understanding of sociology, anthropology and psychology to design automobiles that appeal to consumers on an emotional level…
An Interview with Microsoft’s Edie Adams - Pt. 2
In part 1 of this interview, I talked with Edie Adams about the many innovative products she has helped develop at Microsoft. In part 2, my interview with Edie Adams continues, as we discuss product semiotics, designing products at the right emotional level and designing for flow… Click to continue
An Interview with Microsoft’s Edie Adams - Pt. 1
You may not know Edie Adams by name, but if you’ve ever used a computer, chances are you’ve had your hands on one of her innovations. Edie had a hand in creation of the scroll wheel, the Microsoft Natural Keyboard and many other innovations in hardware design… Click to continue
The Power of Verbalizing Emotions
Ever wonder why it makes you feel better to talk with friends, see a counselor, or write in your journal when you’re upset? Naming or labeling emotions reduces their intensity and helps make them easier to deal with… Click to continue
Brand Personality and Trust
According to research presented at CHI 2007, users judge the relevancy of identical search results from different search engines based on the brand, with Yahoo and Google coming out on top… Click to continue
Money Can Buy You Happiness, But Friends Cost a Lot Less
According to a research team from the University of London, money CAN buy you happiness. That being said, chances are you won’t get the kind of raise you’d need to compensate for losing the things that bring you happiness… Click to continue
Testing Emotional Responses to Websites
Over at Simpler is Better, Iain Barker describes how he used 118 emotion words from the Microsoft Product Reaction Cards to test people’s reactions to websites… Click to continue
How Does Culture Affect What We Focus on?
With globalization, more products and services are being distributed to a global, multicultural audience. What kinds of adjustments need to be made to tailor these products to different cultures? Click to continue
