“Delight the user” has become a near-sacred mantra in the design world. We hear it in stakeholder meetings, see it in design critiques, and even build it into OKRs. But as product designers, we’re increasingly faced with a tough question: does every product really need to delight? Or are we sometimes chasing a feeling that isn’t always necessary—or even appropriate?

The Rise of “Delight” as a Metric

Over the past decade, user experience design has shifted from purely functional to emotional. We’ve evolved from making things that work to making things people love. That’s a great thing—when it fits. Microinteractions, playful copy, surprise animations—these have become tools of emotional engagement. They create stickiness, build loyalty, and yes, bring delight.

But delight isn’t always the goal. Sometimes, people just want something to do its job—reliably, efficiently, and invisibly.

Delight vs. Dependability

Consider products like tax filing software, hospital systems, or cybersecurity tools. In these cases, users don’t want to be delighted—they want to feel in control, informed, and safe. A moment of playful surprise in these contexts might not land well—it could even erode trust.

There’s a difference between delight and satisfaction. The former might make you smile; the latter makes you stay.

What “Delight” Can Obscure

There’s also a risk in focusing too much on delight—it can become a distraction from solving harder, deeper problems. If the core workflow is broken, no amount of whimsical copy will save it. Worse, trying to force delight into the wrong moment can feel tone-deaf or manipulative.

Designers need to ask:
Are we enhancing the experience, or masking its shortcomings?

When Delight Goes Too Far

There is also a risk in over-optimizing for delight. A focus on surprise and delight can lead to bloated features, cutesy animations, or gamification that ultimately diminishes usability. When a user is trying to get something done, the last thing they want is to be slowed down by "delightful" elements that feel out of place.

Conclusion: Context is Everything

So, does every product need to delight? No — but every product does need to respect its user. For some, that means delivering reliability and efficiency. For others, it means making someone smile, feel empowered, or stay engaged. The real challenge is knowing when delight is essential — and when it’s just a distraction.