The role of balance and symmetry in the expression of valence, arousal and urgency in interaction design

To test whether our interactive alarm clock design is able to categorize emotional state from the user’s expressive interaction with the alarm, we conducted an experiment. Thirteen participants watched eight different film clips ranging in valence (positive or negative mood), arousal (high or low) and urgency (high or low). After each clip the participants set the alarm clock by sliding an appropriate amount of sliders. The results show a positive correlation between the induced mood and parameters that describe the aesthetics of the slider pattern. It generalizes to the extent that when people are in a positive mood they express this through the creation of symmetrical and balanced compositions. Likewise, if people are in a negative mood, they express this through more a-symmetrical and un-balanced creations.