Don't waste time looking for a better pencil (Design one instead).
Without warning, our dinner conversation swerves to the praises of a pencil.
Yes, a wooden pencil.
A PALOMINO Blackwing 602 pencil to be exact.
The passion is palpable: “I love the feel of it in my hand, the way it glides over paper, and the smell of the wood is a wonderful treat.”
It was a feeling shared by several people at the table. Not just the lone Luddite.
Hmmm, I hadn’t thought about a pencil in ages. Now I wonder what I’m missing.
Why do some products appeal to us more than others?
The answer — emotion!
Emotional design.
Don Norman, author of The Design of Everyday Things,proposes three levels of emotional design:
Visceral: This is the first impression of a product, based on its appearance and feel. It triggers instinctive and subconscious reactions. A good-looking product can attract and motivate users to try it out.
Behavioral: This is the experience of using a product, based on its functionality and usability. It affects how well a product performs its tasks and how enjoyable the interactions are. A user-friendly product can satisfy and delight users every time they use it.
Reflective: This is the interpretation of a product, based on its meaning and significance. It relates to how a product fits into the user’s identity and lifestyle, and what story it tells. A meaningful product can inspire and engage users, and create a lasting emotional bond.
Our pencil in question ticks all three boxes.
As designers and makers of products, we need to understand emotional design to create products that not only solve problems but also evoke positive emotions and build lasting connections with users.
Like the Blackwing 602.
Pencil me in as impressed.