An aerosol-generating system includes an aerosol-generating article (100) comprising an article housing (110) and an aerosol-forming substrate (300) disposed in the article housing. The system further includes an aerosol-generating device (200) comprising a device housing (210) that defines a receptacle (220) configured to receive the aerosol-generating article. The device further includes control electronics (250) disposed in the device housing and includes a sensor (260) operably coupled to the control electronics and configured to detect a state of the device or the article when the article is received in the receptacle. In addition, the system includes a shape-changing element (270) disposed on or in at least one of the article housing and the device housing. The shape-changing element changes shape in response to the state of the device or the article detected by the sensor to cause a sufficient change in shape of an exterior surface of the device or the article to provide tactile feedback to a user.