Knowledge Base Repository
In addition to research papers, the Design Society is developing several valuable resources for those interested in the study of design. These include a repository of PhD theses, a library of case studies and transcripts of design activities, and an archive of our newsletters. Please note that these resources are accessible exclusively to Design Society members.
On the products and experiences that make us happy
Yang, Xi; Aurisicchio, Marco; Mackrill, James; Baxter, Weston
Type:
Year:
2017
Editor:
Anja Maier, Stanko Škec, Harrison Kim, Michael Kokkolaras, Josef Oehmen, Georges Fadel, Filippo Salustri, Mike Van der Loos
Author:
Series:
ICED
Institution:
Imperial College London, United Kingdom
Section:
Human Behaviour in Design
Page(s):
499-508
ISBN:
978-1-904670-96-4
ISSN:
2220-4342
Abstract:
The study of happiness is receiving increasing attention both in positive psychology and design. A key issue in current literature is the lack of empirical evidence linking products and happiness. We address this examining 87 reports of product-mediated happy experiences and analysing their relations to well- being. Six types of products with experiential attributes were reported to contribute more systematically to happiness. Digital devices and food are the two dominant products followed by vehicles, books, clothing & accessories and sport equipment. These products make us happy by creating: hedonic experiences in which we relieve stress, get rest and increase joy; and eudaimonic experiences in which we establish positive social relationships, develop self-identity, achieve personal growth and gain competence and autonomy. In such experiences, products acted as carriers of reflective meanings, and enablers of experiencing. These insights provide an initial mapping of the relationship between products and happiness and suggest approaches to designing products that can bring happy experiences.
Keywords:
