Designing with Feeling – Understanding Emotion in the Creative Decision-Making Process

: Summary of the Book

Emotion in the Design Process by Amic G. Ho is a compelling exploration of how emotion shapes, influences, and even enhances the process of creative decision-making in design. Positioned at the intersection of cognitive psychology and design thinking, the book presents an innovative view of the emotional dimension in design education and practice. With a strong research foundation, Ho introduces a structured approach that helps students and professionals recognize intrinsic emotional factors, and ultimately harness them to improve creative output. Through both theoretical frameworks and case studies, this book reveals the emotional undercurrents of design decisions, often overlooked in conventional curricula.

? What You Will Discover in the Book

Inside this book, you’ll explore how emotions can hinder or enhance creativity during the design process. You’ll examine decision-making models tailored for emotionally charged scenarios, uncover how intrinsic factors like stress, fear, and excitement influence design outcomes, and learn how to consciously regulate your emotional responses for better ideation and execution. The book also provides strategies to develop emotional intelligence in a design context, guiding readers to identify emotional triggers and integrate them as part of the design toolkit. Quantitative and qualitative studies back the models presented, ensuring both academic rigor and practical application.

? Why Should You Read This Book

You should read Emotion in the Design Process if you are a design student, educator, or creative professional seeking to understand how emotions affect your workflow. The design process can often feel chaotic or overwhelming, especially under pressure—this book provides clarity and control by placing emotion at the center of decision-making. It’s a resource that goes beyond technical skills and teaches how to master the emotional self, making it ideal for anyone aiming to become a more intuitive, thoughtful, and confident designer. It’s also crucial for those working in Kansei Design, user experience, and emotional design frameworks.

: About the Author

Amic G. Ho is a design researcher and academic known for his work at the intersection of emotional cognition and creative practice. With a background in design education and a research focus on decision-making models, Ho brings a unique psychological depth to the understanding of the design process. His academic work is informed by hands-on teaching experiences, and he has become a leading voice in advocating for emotional literacy in creative disciplines. Through his work, he encourages the design community to adopt reflective practices that balance emotion, intuition, and logic.