If you are using images of people in any type of design, know that there are seven basic emotions that are universal. Pick the right one for the right design. Moods and attitudes are not the same as emotions. Those can last a bit of time. Initial emotions are apparent, and those seven are...
Joy
The expression of joy communicates a state of happiness, pleasure,
enjoyment and ecstasy. A true expression of happiness involves both the upper
part and lower part of the face. Whereas most of us relate happiness with a pull up and back of the lip corners, a
critical element to the emotion is also the contraction of the orbicularis oculi, the muscle
surrounding the eyes. This true smile, also known as the Duchenne smile, is
anatomically distinct and indicates a genuine feeling of happiness.
Sadness/Distress
Expressions of sadness communicate a message related to loss of
someone or something valued. Sadness is a very difficult expression to feign
because of the inner brow raise, in addition to lip corner depressing that occurs
with sadness. Only a small percentage of the population can raise their inner
brows on demand but inevitably this raise of the inner brow occurs in everyone
who experiences a genuine felling of sadness.
Contempt
A feeling of condescension towards another person, or a feeling of
moral superiority is the root of the emotion of contempt. The expression of
contempt is unique in that it requires asymmetry. While all the above emotional
expressions can be bilateral, contempt is the only emotion that has to occur on
only one side of the face.
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Fear
The expression of fear is a warning signal and is triggered in
situations where there is a threat of danger. Fear is also part of the freeze,
fight or flight response system that humans and animals alike have developed as
a survival mechanism. When we feel fear, our bodies respond by shutting down unnecessary systems
and rushing blood to the larger muscles in our legs in preparation for defense.
Disgust
This powerful emotion evolves from a feeling of aversion towards
an object or a person. Sometimes just the thought of something repulsive can
bring on the emotion and expression of disgust.
Surprise
The expression of surprise is the briefest of all the emotions. It
occurs in response to an unforeseen event.
Surprise will usually be followed immediately by another emotion such as anger
if the surprise was unwanted, joy if the surprise is a welcomed one or fear if
there is danger accompanying the unanticipated event. Surprise can also turn
into shock, a more enduring emotion.
Anger
Anger can range from annoyance to outright rage. Although there
are many different intensities of anger they all carry a similar expression. In
anger we often see a lowering of the brows and glaring of the eyes. Tightened
lips are also a common factor in
angry faces. Anger serves as a warning to others about our current emotional
state. Anger also serves as a motivator to work through obstacles and to reach
our desired goals.
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Why are these emotions important? People read these fairly well and can spot fake ones. Think about what emotion you want your target audience to see and use the one that best fits. People can fake a smile, but not a true emotion.
