Many individuals often conflate the worlds of visual art and design due to the myriad similarities they share. Both art and design necessitate substantial creativity, a keen sense of aesthetics, emotional intelligence, and the capacity to convey a narrative through visual media. While these resemblances can be captivating and sometimes perplexing, the application of these two disciplines is remarkably straightforward:

• Design hinges on functionality, whereas art does not.

• Design is oriented towards results, while art is not necessarily so.

The primary disparities arise from the objectives of the work. When a designer embarks on a project, they already know what they are striving to achieve. They are guided by a goal, a plan, a client, or a contract. Conversely, an artist is propelled by their imagination.

The Role of Art in Product Design

The visual appeal of a product has become increasingly crucial. This is evident in the rapid ascent of companies that prioritize product design, such as Uber in transportation, Virgin in banking, and Snapchat in communication. Where usability was once the sole imperative, consumers now expect products to be highly efficient in meeting their needs and aesthetically pleasing. This shift is driven by frequent interactions with design-focused brands, exemplified by Apple's various products.

Without the harmonious blend of functionality and aesthetics, a user's perception of your product can be adversely affected, sometimes to the point of abandonment.

So, what does this imply for a product designer?

Designers must, to some extent, think like artists. They must logically apply imaginative ideas, transforming and crystallizing abstract concepts. When creating a new product or feature set, it's imperative to incorporate artistic thinking.

Art provokes, design elucidates.

Incorporating Artistic Thinking into Your Design Approach

Art is intentionally provocative and designed to be emotionally stirring. Every stroke of a brush, smudge of charcoal, or splash of color serves a deliberate purpose to evoke specific reactions in the viewer, tugging at their emotions. Designers must understand how visual elements influence emotions, how emotions influence decision-making, and how to leverage this to their product's advantage. Every design choice should be informed by the user's interaction with, intention for, and emotions regarding the product.

Users stick with products because they trust them, and this trust is cultivated when the product meets their needs and provides the right emotional experience. Even though emotions may seem irrational, there is a method to their madness. Elements that are imbalanced can logically make a person feel off-kilter. White space can induce a sense of calm, but an excess may lead to feelings of isolation. By grasping and translating emotional reactions, you can anticipate user responses and better control their emotional journey through your product.

Emotional Intelligence

Regrettably, many people struggle to comprehend why they feel certain emotions at specific times, let alone articulate them. It is the designer's responsibility to decipher and act on these emotions. The accurate identification, translation, and guidance of emotions constitute "emotional intelligence." You can enhance your emotional intelligence through various methods, particularly in user research.

Extract More from Visualizations

By observing a person's emotional state through their reaction to visual stimuli, you can gain valuable insights. If the response is immediate, it indicates a clear and consistent emotional experience. If it takes the subject several seconds to respond, the visual's intent is evidently unclear or complex. Additionally, consider body language—leaning in may indicate curiosity, while turning to the side could suggest defensiveness.

Ask the Right Questions

People are often more adept at responding accurately to questions than generating descriptive answers themselves. However, it is crucial to ask specific questions that dig deeper. Instead of a generic inquiry like, "How does this make you feel?" pose more precise queries like, "Does this make you feel calm or indifferent?" Specific questions will often unveil subtleties that might be overlooked with generic inquiries, fostering a deeper understanding of the user.

Walk in the User's Shoes

Recognize that culture and upbringing play substantial roles in how an individual engages with the world and the products they use. Sensitivity to these differences will aid in identifying and understanding a user's emotional state within your product. Ask contextual questions to discover how users might react to various emotional scenarios within your product and internalize these insights to anticipate their behaviors.

How Adopting an Artist's Perspective Enhances Product Design

The role of art in product design revolves around comprehending and guiding the user's emotional state through the product. As you become more adept at discerning user moods and reactions without requiring explicit clarification, your design process will become more streamlined, and your products will become more engaging to users.