A Guide to Graphic Design For Functional versus Experiential Ads Color-Evoked Emotion and Design Complexity Can Enhance Effectiveness

Previous research has focused on the content differences of functional versus experiential advertisements. The current research instead investigates graphic-design differences. The authors first conducted an observational study to observe graphic-design differences in real-life functional and experiential advertisements. Afterwards, they experimentally investigated how the effectiveness of functional and experiential advertisements might be enhanced through two key graphic-design elements: color (in terms of evoked emotions: pleasure, arousal, dominance) and design complexity. The authors’ findings provide guidance to advertising designers for matching content graphics with design elements.