Designing Objects with Meaningful Associations

Orth, D; Thurgood, C; van den Hoven, E

Designing Objects with Meaningful Associations

Orth, D

Thurgood, C

van den Hoven, E

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Publisher:: Chinese Institute of Design
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: International Journal of Design, 2018, 12 (2), pp. 91 - 104
Issue Date:: 2018-08-31

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Orth, D https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8201-9220	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Thurgood, C https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3812-4423	en_US
dc.contributor.author	van den Hoven, E https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0888-1426	en_US
dc.date.available	2018-02-05	en_US
dc.date.issued	2018-08-31	en_US
dc.identifier.citation	International Journal of Design, 2018, 12 (2), pp. 91 - 104	en_US
dc.identifier.issn	1991-3761	en_US
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/127802
dc.description.abstract	Objects often become cherished for their ties to beliefs, experiences, memories, people, places or values that are significant to their owner. These ties can reflect the ways in which we as humans use objects to characterise, communicate and develop our sense of self. This paper outlines our approach to applying product attachment theory to design practices. We created six artefacts that were inspired by interviews conducted with three individuals who discussed details of their life stories. We then evaluated the associations that came to mind for our participants when interacting with these newly designed artefacts to determine whether these links brought meaning to them. Our findings highlight the potential of design to bring emotional value to products by embodying significant aspects of a person’s self-identity. To do so, designers must consider both the importance and authenticity of the associations formed between an object and an individual.	en_US
dc.publisher	Chinese Institute of Design	en_US
dc.relation.ispartof	International Journal of Design	en_US
dc.relation.isreplacedby	10453/134495
dc.relation.isreplacedby	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/134495
dc.title	Designing Objects with Meaningful Associations	en_US
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	2	en_US
utslib.citation.volume	12	en_US
utslib.for	1203 Design Practice And Management	en_US
utslib.for	1901 Art Theory And Criticism	en_US
pubs.embargo.period	Not known	en_US
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - CCDP - Contemporary Design Practice
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - DIRC - Design Innovation Research Centre
utslib.copyright.status	open_access
pubs.declined	2018-09-21T14:14:43.620+1000
pubs.consider-herdc	true	en_US
pubs.merge-to	10453/134495
pubs.merge-to	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/134495
pubs.deleted	2018-09-21T14:14:43.620+1000
pubs.issue	2	en_US
pubs.publication-status	Published online	en_US
pubs.volume	12	en_US

Abstract:

Objects often become cherished for their ties to beliefs, experiences, memories, people, places or values that are significant to their owner. These ties can reflect the ways in which we as humans use objects to characterise, communicate and develop our sense of self. This paper outlines our approach to applying product attachment theory to design practices. We created six artefacts that were inspired by interviews conducted with three individuals who discussed details of their life stories. We then evaluated the associations that came to mind for our participants when interacting with these newly designed artefacts to determine whether these links brought meaning to them. Our findings highlight the potential of design to bring emotional value to products by embodying significant aspects of a person’s self-identity. To do so, designers must consider both the importance and authenticity of the associations formed between an object and an individual.

Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:

http://hdl.handle.net/10453/127799