MEDIATING EMOTION THROUGH OBJECTS: THE UNDERSTANDING OF DESIGNED OBJECTS AS AN ASSISTIVE TOOL FOR DESIGNERS IN THE EARLY STAGES OF DESIGN ACTIVITY

Abstract

This paper will explicate the relationship between everyday objects and the user, categorise the objects based on an established system within the design discipline and develop a taxonomy to assist novice designers. To consider the relationship between these objects, a map based on the frame of product experience (Desmet & Hekkert, 2007) will provide a fundamental theory to support the taxonomy. This study will explore the potential of emotion elicited by the user towards everyday objects, and locate these emotions within the taxonomical structure to create a better understanding of the objectuser relationship. To better understand the specific qualities of the user experience in this object-user relationship, it is necessary to understand how designed objects trigger and mediate emotion and how these emotions act as a critical component in how we understand designed objects. By unravelling the object conundrum deductively, novice designers can understand the implication of existing designed objects and improve the design of objects in the future. The taxonomy developed as part of this research will be beneficial for the novice designers who face the uncertainties in the early stages of the design activity.