Video: Designing Warmth

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Designing Warmth

Wednesday, February 26, 2025 • Rosenfeld Community

Daniel Gloyd

Independent Design & Research Consultant

Summary

In order to thrive, we humans need to experience the interconnectedness between ourselves and the world around us. But despite unprecedented connectivity, the modern commercial, social, and educational frameworks where our daily interactions and transactions take place focus on the individual. Increasingly, the technological worlds we inhabit grow cold because connectivity is not the same as connection. Warmth is a connecting principle. For individuals, it leads to reduced stress, anxiety, blood pressure, depression, and heart disease. For communities, it’s like social glue increasing cohesion, unity, and productivity. Changes in UX design priorities are needed to help users get over themselves, to see over the impediments blocking their eyes and hearts from other people, other communities, and the upstream and downstream impact of their consumer behaviors.

Key Insights

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Warmth in design influences perceptions of trust and connection.
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Physical warmth and interpersonal warmth activate similar brain areas.
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Shaker design intentionally fosters a sense of belonging.
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The modern world is rife with loneliness despite increased connectivity.
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Genuine connection enhances mental and physical wellbeing.
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Design should prioritize conversation over mere problem-solving.
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A sense of purpose can enhance user engagement in experiences.
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The problem-solving mindset can hinder deeper user connections.
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Community and belonging are essential for individual and societal health.
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Transcendence in design can lead to more meaningful user experiences.

Notable Quotes

"There was a Yale study where participants were given a warm cup of coffee to hold and they perceived the next person they talked to as more trustworthy and engaging."

"The brain that lights up when we feel physical warmth is the same part that lights up for interpersonal warmth."

"I experienced a tangible sense of connection to the people at this conference through a simple act of singing together."

"We should have a sing along at every conference; it creates a warm and endearing connection."

"Our discipline as designers might be complicit in the crises we face as a society."

"Connection helps us realize gratitude and compassion, supporting our sense of self-worth."

"Warmth is not just about warmth but also about belonging, purpose, and interconnectivity."

"Design should support users in becoming their best selves, contributing to something bigger than themselves."

"Fred Rogers scaled warmth in his experiences for children, creating environments of trust and belonging."

"There is a national epidemic of isolation and loneliness, highlighting the need for connection in our designs."

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