Material 3 Expressive makes Google apps feel less robotic

Material 3 Express design isn’t just a new coat of paint for Android. It’s the result of years of research into how users react emotionally to UI. Google says it’s the most studied update to Material yet, with 46 research studies and feedback from 18,000 users. And it feels like you can definitely tell.

Google didn’t just slap a new coat of paint and tweak the visuals. It studied how design affects emotion and behavior. For example, users saw key buttons faster in expressive layouts. In eye-tracking tests, people found tappable items four times faster. Even older users performed just as well as younger ones—a huge win for accessibility.

To Google’s surprise, people actually liked it. Across all age groups, the expressive versions were rated as more “energetic,” “creative,” and “friendly.” Among younger users, 87% preferred the new designs. It wasn’t just a vibe thing either—people tapped faster and claimed to have felt more confident using the interface.

With Material 3 Expressive design, Google is trying to make UI more human. Research showed that users saw expressive UIs as more modern and “in-the-know.” One study even measured a 30% boost in perceived “rebelliousness.” It’s like Google is trying to make apps feel less like apps and more like people.

Google is moving past cold, minimal UI and embracing something more emotional. That’s a big deal, especially in an era where AI and automation risk making everything feel robotic. Interfaces that feel playful or personal could become a form of digital counterbalance.