#108 Feng Shui meets UX ☯️


Read time: under 4 minutes

Feng Shui meets UX:
Balancing Digital Energy

In the ancient practice of Feng Shui, every element, from the arrangement of furniture to the flow of energy, is meticulously orchestrated to cultivate harmony and vitality.

This profound philosophy, rooted in the idea of aligning individuals with their environment, holds the keys to unlocking the essence of well-being and prosperity.

As we navigate the digital realm of the 21st century, where our interactions are increasingly mediated through screens and interfaces, the principles of Feng Shui take on a new dimension.

The question arises: How can we use Feng Shui to create digital experiences that truly connect with users?

ONLY $99

Your all-in-one toolbox for UX design

UX resources that will make your eyes water with joy used by 18,000+ designers.

The evolution of design has seen a parallel journey with the principles of Feng Shui.

As UX design emerged and evolved, designers began to recognise the importance of creating digital environments that not only look visually appealing but also feel intuitive and harmonious to users.

This shift in focus from purely aesthetic considerations to a more holistic approach mirrors the principles of Feng Shui, where the balance of form and function is key.

While they may not be identical, there are clear parallels between the two disciplines. Both aim to create environments that foster positive energy flow and enhance the well-being of users, whether in physical or digital spaces.

By incorporating the principles of Feng Shui into UX design, designers can create digital experiences that resonate deeply with users on a subconscious level.

The cost of broken UX 🫠

Neglecting seamless or harmonious UX design can have significant consequences:

  1. Users may quickly lose interest and disengage from websites or apps.
  2. Poorly designed interfaces can lead to confusion and frustration, causing users to struggle with navigation and task completion.
  3. Subpar user experiences result in decreased satisfaction levels, leading to negative perceptions of the brand or service.
  4. Users are less likely to return to digital platforms that fail to provide seamless and captivating experiences, leading to diminished retention rates.
  5. Businesses risk losing revenue opportunities as users opt for competitors with better-designed experiences.
  6. Negative user experiences can tarnish a brand's reputation, resulting in long-term consequences for customer trust and loyalty.

It's essential to prioritise UX design principles and incorporate insights from disciplines like Feng Shui to create digital experiences that resonate deeply with users.


Tips for creating captivating digital experiences

  1. The Art of Energy Flow: Ensure your digital space flows effortlessly, guiding users through a harmonious journey with clear information architecture and intuitive navigation.
  2. Balancing Yin and Yang: Strike a perfect equilibrium between functionality and aesthetics, ensuring that design elements serve a clear purpose while also being visually appealing.
  3. Spatial Awareness: Optimise layout and organisation to create visual breathing room and position important elements intuitively, following natural eye movement patterns.
  4. Cultivating Positive User Vibes: Dive into color psychology, typography, and visual elements to evoke specific emotions and create a favorable user experience aligned with user emotions.
  5. Embracing Natural Elements: Infuse organic shapes, textures, and imagery inspired by nature to bring a sense of authenticity and grounding to your designs.
  6. Designing for Flow and Balance: Create seamless user journeys that align with mental models, fostering a sense of rhythm and continuity in interactions.

Summary

As the digital design landscape continues to evolve, the integration of Feng Shui principles emerges as a powerful tool for creating captivating user experiences.

By weaving elements of energy flow, balance, and spatial awareness into UX design, designers unlock the potential to craft digital environments that transcend mere functionality, resonating deeply with users on an instinctual level.

In this ongoing exploration of ancient wisdom and modern technology, the horizon of possibility expands endlessly.

As we embrace the fusion of timeless insights and contemporary innovation, the journey towards creating truly harmonious digital experiences becomes both exciting and limitless.

Do you think UX is digital Feng Shui?

Whenever you’re ready, there are 3 types of designers I help:

1. Entry-level designer? Transition into UX by crafting an unforgettable portfolio
2. Mid-level designer? Step up and become a design leader
3. Senior, Lead, or Manager? — Start your journey as a designpreneur

So, what do you think?
Liking the new shorter format?

Hit reply and let me know!
I'll keep writing if you keep reading.

Forward this to a designer friend who might enjoy this. If you're not subscribed, you can sign up here.

That's it for today. Speak soon 💛

Chris
Founder @ UX Playbook

I help UX designers go from Fuzziness to Focused. Get unstuck with UX Playbook.

You received this email because you've downloaded a resource, signed up to hear from me, or you bought something from me.

Join free events · Unsubscribe · Preferences

Play of the Week

Join 11,000+ designers reading 2m weekly. Absolutely free.

Read more from Play of the Week
UX Leaders Make Bad Calls Too

Play of the Week newsletter by Chris Newsletter issue: #174Read time: 1m 59s BUNDLE EXCLUSIVE "I don't know how to grow" Strategize, design, and create your dream UX career, step-by-step. Start growing your career Ever make a decision that made you rethink your entire career? 🙋♂️ Raises hand My career journey has been a rollercoaster. Epic fails and (thankfully) some wins. I quit the best job to chase status, only to fall flat on my face. I once spent 8 months building a product nobody...

Present NDA Design Work

Play of the Week newsletter by Chris Newsletter issue: #173Read time: 1m 16s A big thank you to Miro, our sponsor, who keeps this newsletter free to the reader: FREE FOR DESIGNERS 😍 The ONLY design workshop platform you need Miro helps designers organize and run design sprints and workshops on a single, flexible canvas, with facilitation tools like timer, voting, clustering, templates, blueprints, and private mode. Plus, you can now use Miro AI to summarize insights. No more hours spent on...

Play of the Week newsletter by Chris Newsletter issue: #172Read time: 1m 34s ONLY $99 Your all-in-one toolbox for UX design UX resources that will make your eyes water with joy used by 18,000+ designers. Get access to the playbook 10 years ago, the design industry had a collective meltdowns over “UX processes”. Everyone and their mum was preaching about how messy processes needed fixing. UX consultants were selling the UX perfect process. It’s 2025 and I’m calling BS. THERE. IS. NO. PERFECT....