Ziyu Feng, Rong Yang

Rong Yang

May 05, 2026

Neuroaesthetics, Interaction design, Symmetry, Color.

Neuroaesthetics has gradually penetrated into the field of interaction design in recent years, providing a neuroscientific perspective for understanding users' aesthetic responses to digital interfaces. This article focuses on symmetry and color, two key visual elements, to examine how they shape user engagement. Existing research shows that symmetry reduces cognitive load and induces pleasure, thereby enhancing the perceived balance and attractiveness of interfaces. In terms of color, based on the ecological valence theory, warm tones tend to enhance emotional arousal and motivational behavior, while cool tones help maintain focus and calmness. This article first outlines the core framework of neuroaesthetics, with a focus on the aesthetic triad model, namely the sensory-motor, knowledge-meaning, and emotional-value systems. It also reviews the application of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), electroencephalography (EEG), and other technologies in quantifying aesthetic preferences. Next, an analytical framework combining theory and practice is constructed to demonstrate that the rational use of symmetrical structure and color matching in mobile application and web design can significantly prolong user dwell time, enhance interaction rate, and improve overall satisfaction. The discussion section revolves around the advantages and limitations of these mechanisms, covering aspects such as emotional connection reinforcement, processing fluency improvement, as well as cultural variation and individual differences. Specific design suggestions are also provided: for example, prioritizing the use of symmetrical grids paired with neutral-warm color schemes to achieve dual optimization of cognition and emotion. By analyzing contemporary cases such as iOS interface iterations and combining multimodal research on balanced composition and furniture aesthetic evaluation, this paper verifies the applicability of these principles in digital interaction scenarios. Finally, the article points out that neuroaesthetics is expected to promote more humanistic interaction design, and suggests that future exploration could focus on the neural mechanisms of social aesthetics related to AI personalized aesthetics, VR/AR dynamic interaction, and interactive body perception. Overall, this article integrates recent empirical evidence and aims to provide actionable neuroscientific insights for interaction designers, facilitating the deep integration of aesthetics and functionality.

© 2026, the Authors. Published by ISCCAC

This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC license