A systematic review of emotional design research in multimedia learning

Abstract This study provides a current systematic review of emotional design research in the multimedia learning domain and explores how emotional design is studied in multimedia learning. All studies on emotional design in multimedia learning published until 2023 were examined thoroughly. In this study, 51 journal articles were identified based on PRISMA guidelines and reviewed regarding emotional state parameters, emotional design techniques, emotional and other measurements, learning materials, research methodologies, and learning outcomes. The analysis provided several salient findings. Firstly, there has been growing interest in emotional design. Secondly, the impact of emotional design on learning outcomes, emotional states, motivation, and cognitive load was explored. Thirdly, most studies preferred subjective measurements or indirect objective measurements. Fourthly, there was a tendency to examine the effects of shape and color elements in the emotional design techniques. Lastly, the studies reported contradictory results on learning outcomes but agreed that emotional design had a positive impact on motivation and emotional state. This review highlights research gaps and provides recommendations for future studies in the field of emotional design in multimedia learning.