Design for Emotion and Well-being

This course is a theme course of DfI theme 1: Design for Human Interaction.

Emotions are not just fleeting reactions — they are windows into what people truly care about. In this course, we explore how emotions can serve as meaningful signals in design, revealing users’ deeper needs, values, and aspirations.

In this course, you will learn how design influences human emotion and well-being, and how emotional responses arise not only from product features, but also from the broader context of use. The course provides both a theoretical foundation and a set of practical tools for analysing emotional experiences, identifying psychological needs, and designing interventions that are emotionally resonant and socially relevant.

We cover concepts such as:

• Micro-emotions in everyday human-product interactions

• Emotional dilemmas and need conflicts

• A typology of 13 fundamental psychological needs

• Rich experiences and the constructive role of negative emotions

• Positive Design and design for flourishing

Through emotional research methods, and hands-on design challenges, you will develop the skills to design with emotional depth — not only to create engaging products, but to master the art of designing products that are both exciting and deeply meaningful.

The study goals of this course will be assessed by a series of short team assignments (100%).

Throughout the course you will complete 6 short design and/or research projects (in teams of two or three students). For each project you will make a poster-based report. Formative feedback will be given to selected projects.

Summative assessment will be done through the deliverable the 6 assignment posters and is structured in sections that align with the learning goals.