Design hack: 10 joy-inducing aesthetics you should know | Ingrid Fetell Lee | Big Think

TL;DR

Happiness is complex, measured over time, while joy is immediate positive emotion. 10 aesthetics of joy: abundance, harmony, energy, freedom, roundness, surprise, transcendence, magic, renewal, and celebration.

Transcript

I think happiness and joy often get confused especially in popular culture and we often hear the words joy and happiness and positivity kind of all get mixed up but happiness is something that psychologists measure over time so it's more of a conscious appraisal of how good our life is and it often includes a range of different factors how could we... Read More

Key Insights

• 😃 Abundance in surroundings and patterns evokes feelings of joy and positivity.
• 😃 Harmony from balance and symmetry brings a sense of calm and joy.
• 😃 Energy through brightness and color universally signifies joy and positivity.
• 😃 Freedom in wide-open spaces and nature elicits feelings of joy and freedom.
• 😄 Roundness in playful objects promotes safety and ease of play, associated with joy.
• 😃 Surprise adds elements of contrast and wonder, enhancing joy and positive emotions.
• 😃 Transcendence from floating objects draws eyes upward, creating a sense of joy.

Questions & Answers

Q: How do psychologists differentiate between happiness and joy?

Psychologists measure happiness over time as a conscious appraisal of life factors, while joy is an intense momentary positive emotion measured through physical expressions like smiling and laughing.

Q: What are the 10 aesthetics of joy and how do they connect to human emotions?

The 10 aesthetics of joy include abundance, harmony, energy, freedom, roundness, surprise, transcendence, magic, renewal, and celebration, each connecting physical surroundings to emotional feelings like joy and positivity.

Q: How do round shapes correspond to the feeling of joy?

Round shapes are associated with play as they are safe, easy to interact with, and offer a wide range of uses, reflecting the natural inclination towards joy and positivity.

Q: Why is surprise considered an aesthetic of joy?

Surprise, with its elements of contrast and whimsy, catches attention, brings incongruous elements together, and adds a sense of joy and wonder to everyday experiences.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Happiness is a long-term conscious appraisal of life factors, while joy is an intense momentary positive emotion.

• 10 aesthetics of joy connect physical surroundings to emotional feelings, including abundance, harmony, energy, freedom, roundness, surprise, transcendence, magic, renewal, and celebration.

• Focusing on joy's smaller moments is more accessible and immediate than the pursuit of happiness tied to significant life events.