The research presented in this paper offers important practical
as well as theoretical implications. On a practical level, findings
from the current studies confirm that positive emotional feelings
play an important role in multimedia learning and should there-
fore been taken into account when designing multimedia learning
materials. Our study found that designers aiming to enhance
learners’ comprehension of the material can use warm colors
(such as yellow and orange) rather than cold colors (such as gray)
and round face-like shapes rather than square, non-face like
shapes in their designs. However, more research is needed to
examine the impact of emotional design on knowledge transfer,
and to determine how specific positive emotions can be induced
through emotional design, especially taking into account learner
variables such as gender, cultural context, and prior knowledge. It
also needs to be investigated whether other design elements, such
as sound, that have been shown to impact comprehension and
transfer (Macken, Mosdell, & Jones; 1999; Moreno & Mayer, 2000)
induce emotions in learners that are related to these learning
outcomes.