Short answer
Focus on designing products that articulate and embody the aspirational ideals of the intended user, rather than just catering to perceived personality traits.
- Field
- Classic Design
- Source
- The Philosophical Quarterly (2015)
- Method
- Philosophical analysis and conceptual argumentation
- Evidence
- Moderate effect
Personal style is best understood not as a mere reflection of personality, but as a deliberate expression of an individual's core ideals. This classic design research insight is drawn from a 2015 study published in The Philosophical Quarterly. Using Philosophical analysis and conceptual argumentation, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Focus on designing products that articulate and embody the aspirational ideals of the intended user, rather than just catering to perceived personality traits.
Personal Style as Expression of Ideals
Personal style is best understood not as a mere reflection of personality, but as a deliberate expression of an individual's core ideals.
The Philosophical Quarterly · 2015
Key Findings
- 01The view of style as a direct expression of personality is implausible for both personal and artistic styles.
- 02A more robust understanding of personal style is its manifestation of an individual's ideals.
- 03Artistic style can be understood as the expression of the artist's ideals for their art.
Application
Design takeaway
Focus on designing products that articulate and embody the aspirational ideals of the intended user, rather than just catering to perceived personality traits.
How to apply
When developing a new product, identify the core ideals (e.g., sustainability, efficiency, creativity, community) that the target users aspire to, and ensure the product's form, function, and messaging clearly express these ideals.
Project actions
- 01When defining your target user, go beyond demographics and consider their values and aspirations.
- 02Ensure your design choices, from materials to form, communicate these underlying ideals.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Provides a more sophisticated framework for understanding style.
- +Offers a clear direction for design intent beyond superficial aesthetics.
Limitations
It can be challenging to definitively identify and measure the 'ideals' of a user group.
Reliability & validity
The philosophical nature of the argument makes direct empirical reliability and validity testing difficult, but its conceptual coherence is strong.
Think critically
How can designers objectively identify and validate the 'ideals' of a diverse user group?
Design Principles
"Design should strive to express and embody the ideals of its intended users."
This perspective shifts the understanding of style from an inherent trait to a conscious choice, offering designers a more nuanced approach to creating products that resonate with users on a deeper, value-driven level. It encourages the design of objects that not only function well but also communicate and embody specific aspirational qualities.
What This Means for Your Design
Think about what's really important to people (their ideals) when you design something, not just what they seem like on the surface.
How to use in your project
- 1.Use this concept to justify design choices that align with user values, explaining how the design expresses specific ideals.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
The research suggests that personal style is fundamentally an expression of ideals. Therefore, in the design process, it is crucial to identify and articulate the core ideals of the target user group. The subsequent design should then be developed to clearly embody and communicate these identified ideals, ensuring a deeper resonance and connection with the user.
Source
Questions About This Research
- What does the research say about personal style as expression of ideals?
- Focus on designing products that articulate and embody the aspirational ideals of the intended user, rather than just catering to perceived personality traits. Evidence: The Philosophical Quarterly (2015).
- Why does "Personal Style as Expression of Ideals" matter for design?
- This perspective shifts the understanding of style from an inherent trait to a conscious choice, offering designers a more nuanced approach to creating products that resonate with users on a deeper, value-driven level. It encourages the design of objects that not only function well but also communicate and embody specific aspirational qualities.
- How can designers apply this research?
- Focus on designing products that articulate and embody the aspirational ideals of the intended user, rather than just catering to perceived personality traits.
- What were the main findings?
- The view of style as a direct expression of personality is implausible for both personal and artistic styles.. A more robust understanding of personal style is its manifestation of an individual's ideals.. Artistic style can be understood as the expression of the artist's ideals for their art.
- What research method was used?
- Philosophical analysis and conceptual argumentation.
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2015 journal from The Philosophical Quarterly.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When developing a new product, identify the core ideals (e.g., sustainability, efficiency, creativity, community) that the target users aspire to, and ensure the product's form, function, and messaging clearly express these ideals.
- What are the limitations?
- The study is primarily philosophical and does not involve empirical testing of user perception or design effectiveness.