What is a good way to simplify surveys?

I'm using surveys to see how happy/unhappy customers are with my product. However bombing them with surveys is obviously a bad thing to do. I'm looking for ways to simplify survey actions.

For example: I could send out a survey asking someone what their experience is with a product. However filling out a survey might be tedious, so instead I'm providing them with smiley/sad face buttons to click.

So i'm looking for fun/new interactive ways to simplify surveys like mentioned in the above example. I feel like the smiley buttons and thumb up thumbs down switches have been overused and might be a little dated.

What idea's do you have? :)