4.6. Discussion
In Study 2, our results paint a more complex picture of how
specific elements of design can be employed to induce positive
emotions. The main effects for each element alone on compre-
hension were significant, although we could only confirm for shape,
but not for color, that this design factor was able to induce positive
emotions (Hypothesis 4) that had a statistically significant effect on
enhancing comprehension. Results of learning outcome measures
in Study 2 replicated findings from Um et al. (2011) and Study 1 in
showing that emotional design that employed both round shape
and warm color resulted in increased comprehension, as did color
and shape individually (Hypothesis 5). However, an unexpected
pattern was found for knowledge transfer: round shapes with face-
like features uniquely contributed to learning. In fact, shape was
most effective in facilitating transfer learning when used with
neutral colors, but did not facilitate transfer when combined with
color. Shape and color were not found to uniquely contribute to
cognitive load or measures of satisfaction, motivation, or percep-
tion of learning (Hypothesis 6). Thus, findings from Study 2 provide
further insight into the complexities of how the emotional design
features of color and shape interact to impact learning.