Industrial designers are increasingly leveraging insights from neuroscience to create products that enhance user experience (UX) by aligning with how the brain processes information, emotions, and behaviours. Ever picked up a product and instantly loved how it felt? That’s no accident—it’s neuroscience at work. The best industrial designers, including those at Shark Design, harness brain science to craft intuitive, emotionally engaging products that feel effortless to use. From the shape of a smartphone to the click of a button, every design choice impacts how users interact with and perceive a product.
Neuroscience in product design is gaining traction as more designers realize that understanding human cognition leads to better user experiences. By leveraging design psychology, industrial designers can create products that not only look good but also feel instinctively right. So, how do neuroscience principles shape industrial design? Let’s explore the fascinating connection between the brain and the products we love.
The Connection Between Neuroscience and Industrial Design
Neuroscience plays a fundamental role in shaping product interactions, ensuring designs are both aesthetically pleasing and functionally seamless. Here’s how industrial designers use neuroscience to craft superior experiences:
Neuroaesthetics: Why Some Designs Feel “Right”
Neuroaesthetics studies how the brain processes visual and sensory stimuli. Some designs evoke instant attraction, while others seem unappealing. Elements like symmetry, balance, and smooth edges trigger positive responses in the brain, making a product feel more inviting.
For example, Apple’s rounded icons and minimalist design principles align with neuroaesthetic findings—people perceive them as clean, approachable, and intuitive.
Cognitive Ergonomics: Reducing Mental Load
Cognitive ergonomics focuses on designing products that reduce mental effort. A cluttered interface, confusing button layout, or overwhelming choices can lead to decision fatigue. Industrial designers apply cognitive ergonomics by:
- Simplifying navigation with clear hierarchies.
- Using familiar patterns (e.g., placing “home” buttons where users expect them).
- Reducing steps needed to complete an action.
A great example is the intuitive user interface of a Tesla dashboard, where minimal distractions and clear controls enhance the driving experience.
Sensory Design: Engaging Touch, Sight, and Sound
Sensory design principles enhance user interaction by appealing to multiple senses. The feel of a product, the sound it makes, and how it looks all contribute to user satisfaction. Key aspects include:
- Tactile design: The texture and weight of a product influence perceived quality (e.g., high-end packaging with soft-touch materials).
- Visual cues: Color psychology affects emotions—blue tones convey trust, while red can evoke excitement.
- Auditory feedback: Subtle sounds, like a laptop keyboard’s click or a car door’s “thud,” reinforce quality perceptions.
Shark Design applies sensory design to create products that feel intuitive and delightful from the first interaction.
Key Neuroscience Principles in UX Design
Industrial designers don’t just focus on aesthetics—they apply brain science to enhance user experience. Here are some core principles:
The Dopamine Effect: Making Products Rewarding
Dopamine, the brain’s “feel-good” chemical, is triggered by rewards. Products that provide small, satisfying rewards—like a smooth scrolling motion or satisfying “click”—keep users engaged. This principle is seen in:
- The haptic feedback of a smartphone keyboard.
- The “pull-to-refresh” motion on social media apps.
- Magnetic closures on high-end packaging that create a subtle, rewarding snap.
Pattern Recognition: Why Familiar Layouts Work
Our brains love patterns. When a design follows familiar conventions, it’s easier to use. That’s why:
- App icons resemble real-world objects (e.g., a trash bin for deleting files).
- Websites follow predictable layouts (menus on top, shopping carts in the corner).
- Car dashboards maintain standardized placements for essential controls.
By leveraging pattern recognition, designers create products that users instinctively understand.
Emotional Triggers: How Design Evokes Feelings
Emotional design in products is about more than aesthetics—it’s about making users feel something. Rounded edges, warm colors, and organic shapes create a sense of trust and comfort. This is why:
- Curved smartphone edges feel better in hand than sharp corners.
- Soft-touch materials make premium products feel luxurious.
- Minimalist designs create a sense of clarity and calmness.
Cognitive Fluency: Simplifying Choices
Too many options can overwhelm users. Cognitive fluency ensures that decisions feel effortless.
- Amazon’s “Buy Now” button simplifies purchasing.
- Apple’s limited iPhone colour choices reduce decision fatigue.
- One-click checkouts remove friction from online shopping.
By simplifying the user experience, designers ensure a more enjoyable and stress-free interaction.
Practical Applications for Designers
So, how can industrial designers integrate neuroscience into their process? Here are some actionable methods:
Tools and Methods
- Eye-tracking studies to analyse where users focus their attention.
- Biometric feedback (heart rate, skin conductance) to gauge emotional responses.
- A/B testing to compare design variations and optimize user engagement.
Shark Design’s Approach
At Shark Design, we incorporate neuroscientific research into every stage of product development. By testing materials, shapes, and interactions, we ensure that products align with how users think and feel.
Tips for Small Businesses
Not every company has access to high-end neuroscience labs, but here are simple ways to integrate brain-friendly product design:
- Use feedback loops: Observe how users interact with prototypes and iterate accordingly.
- Apply colour psychology: Choose colours based on the emotions you want to evoke.
- Simplify interfaces: Make navigation intuitive and frictionless.
Challenges and Ethical Considerations
While neuroscience enhances industrial design, ethical considerations must be addressed.
Avoiding Overstimulation
Too much sensory input can overwhelm users. Bright flashing colours, excessive notifications, or unnecessarily complex interfaces can create cognitive overload.
The Ethics of Persuasive Design
Some companies use “dark patterns”—tricks that manipulate users into taking actions they don’t intend (e.g., hidden subscription fees). Ethical designers prioritize transparency and user well-being.
Shark Design’s Commitment
At Shark Design, we believe in ethical, user-first design. Our goal is to create products that enhance experiences without exploiting psychological vulnerabilities.
Conclusion
Understanding the brain allows designers to create products that feel intuitive, rewarding, and emotionally engaging. By leveraging principles of neurasthenic’s, cognitive ergonomics, and sensory design, industrial designers can craft experiences that users love. At Shark Design, we blend neuroscience with creativity to develop brain-friendly product designs that drive real-world success. If you want to create products that truly connect with users, let’s collaborate and turn insights into innovation.
Partner with Shark Design to apply neuroscience-driven strategies to your product development. Contact us today and take your design to the next level!