Sebastian Cox (an award winning bespoke fine furniture designer) said: ‘People are drawn to tactility because they are seeking something “real”. We spend so much of our time in the digital world – something natural brings us closer to reality.’
In the design process, every graphic designer aims to showcase the best aspects of their work to the audience. Achieving a powerful tactile perception and impactful visual presentation is crucial for creating outstanding graphic design. Therefore, the current challenge for graphic designers is how to effectively integrate tactile perception into their designs to leave a lasting impression on viewers. Tactile perception in graphic design refers to viewers gaining additional information about a work through diverse tactile sensations created by various material surfaces and textures. In the process of graphic design, designers distinguish their creations by employing different techniques or materials on the same surface.
Tactile sense in graphic design manifests in two forms, with the first being the result of varying textures in different materials, such as smooth, soft, rough, and hard surfaces. Graphic designers leverage these material textures to establish a connection and appeal to viewers, enhancing the overall allure of their designs. The second form of tactile sense innovation in graphic design builds upon the first by not only considering the material used but also designing texture elements on packaging to imitate and evoke specific feelings. This innovative approach allows for immediate recognition of graphic designs through the tactile sense, particularly in packaging, enabling consumers to quickly identify and understand the nature of a product. By integrating tactile sense and vision in this way, graphic designers can effectively establish a strong identity and recognition relationship with consumers, enhancing the overall impact and communication of their designs (Wang & Li, 2014).
Tactile design, also known as haptic design, involves creating designs that not only appeal visually but also engage the sense of touch. Incorporating tactile elements in graphic design can be important for several reasons:
- Enhanced User Experience: Tactile elements can enhance the overall user experience by providing a multi-sensory interaction. When people can feel and touch a design, it creates a more memorable and immersive experience.
- Accessibility: Tactile design can improve accessibility for individuals with visual impairments. By incorporating textures, embossing, or other tactile elements, designers can communicate information in a way that goes beyond visual cues, making the content more accessible to a wider audience.
- Brand Differentiation: In a visually saturated world, tactile design can help a brand stand out. Incorporating unique textures or finishes in print materials, packaging, or digital interfaces can make a brand more memorable and distinctive.
- Communication of Information: Tactile elements can be used to communicate information effectively. For example, in packaging design, the texture of a product’s packaging can convey information about its contents, quality, or brand identity.
- Emotional Connection: Touch is a powerful sense that can evoke emotions and create a deeper connection between the user and the design. The tactile qualities of a product or design can influence how users perceive and relate to it emotionally.
- Engagement: Tactile design encourages physical interaction. Whether it’s through interactive print materials or textured surfaces, the act of touching and feeling can engage the audience more actively with the design.
- Storytelling: Tactile elements can be used to tell a story or convey a message. By carefully selecting materials and textures, designers can evoke certain feelings or communicate specific themes.
- Memorability: Designs that engage multiple senses tend to be more memorable. Tactile elements can create a lasting impression on users, making the design more likely to be remembered over time.
- Cross-Modal Perception: Engaging multiple senses simultaneously, such as combining visual and tactile stimuli, can enhance the overall perception of a design. This cross-modal approach can create a more holistic and impactful experience.
In summary, tactile design is important in graphic design because it adds depth to the user experience, improves accessibility, differentiates brands, communicates effectively, creates emotional connections, encourages engagement, contributes to storytelling, enhances memorability, and utilizes cross-modal perception for a more comprehensive impact.
Ilse Crawford (a British interior and furniture designer) : The more digital our lives become, the more we crave the physical. It’s about balance. We are moving towards more tactile materials that engage the senses.’
It’s no surprise that Thomas Widdershoven, creative director of Design Academy Eindhoven, described tactility as „a political statement, a social statement, a human statement“. Tactility may appear counter-intuitive in the digital age, but it has never been more vital – in terms of design, it is the strongest expression of our humanity we can produce (Treggiden, 2015).
Sources:
- Treggiden, K. (2015). Tactile design: Why we like things a little rough around the edges. The Spaces. https://thespaces.com/tactile-design-why-we-like-things-a-little-rough-around-the-edges/
- Wang, Q., & Li, H. (2014). Analysis on tactile field in current graphic vision design. Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Science and Social Research. https://doi.org/10.2991/icssr-14.2014.235
