The Power of Good Design
Great design is two fold: it looks good and is good for you too.

Studies have shown that many of the benefits of good design come from its beauty. Here are the facts:
- Color affects our moods: Just glancing at shades of green can boost feelings of motivation and productivity.
- Shapes affect our ability to digest information: The human eye scans fastest when written text is in the optimal shape of a “golden rectangle”. This simple shape improves our ability to read and retain information.
- Patterns have universal appeal: Patterns of “optimal fractal density” can reduce stress by as much as 60%, just by being in the line of vision.
- Bad design hurts: Even seemingly subtle differences in design can have negative effects over time, like neck aches as a result of a poorly shaped pillow, or eye strain due to overly bright lighting.
The research behind this info was detailed in a recent article in the Wall Street Journal.
We think these findings hold lessons for financial products too: Cluttered design overwhelms, and a complex user experience overwhelms and creates inertia. In other words, beauty is better for your bank balance.
Original content by Betterment
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