Short answer

Move beyond designing solely for utility and ownership; design for holistic human flourishing by considering the user's state of being, their social connections, and their active participation in life.

Field: Classic Design
Source: Personality and Social Psychology Review (2024)
Method: Theoretical integration and synthesis of existing research.
Evidence: Moderate effect

A holistic understanding of human well-being, crucial for design, encompasses not just material possessions but also the quality of existence, meaningful relationships, and active engagement. This classic design research insight is drawn from a 2024 study published in Personality and Social Psychology Review. Using Theoretical integration and synthesis of existing research., researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Move beyond designing solely for utility and ownership; design for holistic human flourishing by considering the user's state of being, their social connections, and their active participation in life.

Study

Classic DesignRecentModerate effect

Human well-being is intrinsically linked to the 'being', 'having', 'loving', and 'doing' dimensions of existence.

A holistic understanding of human well-being, crucial for design, encompasses not just material possessions but also the quality of existence, meaningful relationships, and active engagement.

Personality and Social Psychology Review · 2024

Key Findings

01Human well-being can be understood through four fundamental dimensions: being, having, loving, and doing.
02Each dimension has associated needs that contribute to overall well-being.
03A comprehensive assessment requires both subjective and objective indicators.

Application

Design takeaway

How to apply

When designing a product or service, ask: How does this support the user's sense of self ('being')? How does it facilitate connection ('loving')? How does it enable meaningful action ('doing')? And of course, how does it provide value ('having')?

Project actions

01When defining the problem for your design project, consider the broader human needs beyond just functional requirements.
02In your user research, explore users' feelings, relationships, and activities, not just their purchasing habits or product usage.

Method & Evidence

AimTo develop a comprehensive theory of human well-being that integrates psychological, sociological, and philosophical perspectives.

MethodTheoretical integration and synthesis of existing research.

ProcedureThe authors reviewed and synthesized literature from psychology, sociology, and philosophy to propose a multi-dimensional model of human well-being.

ContextHuman well-being and its measurement.

Variables

IV["Design features intended to support 'being', 'having', 'loving', or 'doing'."]

DV["User's perceived well-being (subjective measures).","Observed user behaviors related to connection, engagement, or self-expression (objective measures)."]

CV["User demographics.","Prior experience with similar products/services."]

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Provides a comprehensive framework for understanding human well-being.
+Integrates diverse academic fields.

Limitations

It can be challenging to objectively measure 'being', 'loving', and 'doing' in a design context, and user perceptions can be highly subjective.

Reliability & validity

The reliability of subjective well-being measures can be moderate, while validity depends on the chosen indicators. The theoretical framework itself is robust, but its application in specific design contexts requires careful operationalization and empirical testing.

Think critically

How might a design that prioritizes 'being' or 'loving' conflict with the user's desire for 'having' or 'doing', and how can a designer navigate these potential trade-offs?

Design Principles

"Design for holistic well-being by addressing the dimensions of being, having, loving, and doing."

Designers often focus on the 'having' aspect (products, features). However, this research suggests that true well-being, and therefore successful design outcomes, are achieved by considering the broader human experience. Integrating 'being', 'loving', and 'doing' into design thinking can lead to more meaningful and impactful solutions.

What This Means for Your Design

To make something truly good for people, think about more than just what they can own. Consider how it makes them feel, how it helps them connect with others, and how it lets them do things they care about.

How to use in your project

1.Reference this theory when discussing the broader impact of your design on user well-being, moving beyond purely functional or aesthetic considerations.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

This design project aims to enhance user well-being by considering the multifaceted nature of human experience, as proposed by Martela (2024). Beyond the tangible aspects of 'having' a product, the design will actively support the user's 'being' through [specific design feature], foster 'loving' connections via [specific design feature], and enable meaningful 'doing' by [specific design feature].

Source

Personality and Social Psychology Review

Being as Having, Loving, and Doing: A Theory of Human Well-Being

journal · 2024

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about human well-being is intrinsically linked to the 'being', 'having', 'loving', and 'doing' dimensions of existence?: Move beyond designing solely for utility and ownership; design for holistic human flourishing by considering the user's state of being, their social connections, and their active participation in life. Evidence: Personality and Social Psychology Review (2024).
Why does "Human well-being is intrinsically linked to the 'being', 'having', 'loving', and 'doing' dimensions of existence." matter for design?: Designers often focus on the 'having' aspect (products, features). However, this research suggests that true well-being, and therefore successful design outcomes, are achieved by considering the broader human experience. Integrating 'being', 'loving', and 'doing' into design thinking can lead to more meaningful and impactful solutions.
How can designers apply this research?: Move beyond designing solely for utility and ownership; design for holistic human flourishing by considering the user's state of being, their social connections, and their active participation in life.
What were the main findings?: Human well-being can be understood through four fundamental dimensions: being, having, loving, and doing.. Each dimension has associated needs that contribute to overall well-being.. A comprehensive assessment requires both subjective and objective indicators.
What research method was used?: Theoretical integration and synthesis of existing research..
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2024 journal from Personality and Social Psychology Review.
What should I do differently in my next project?: When designing a product or service, ask: How does this support the user's sense of self ('being')? How does it facilitate connection ('loving')? How does it enable meaningful action ('doing')? And of course, how does it provide value ('having')?
What are the limitations?: The theory is broad and may require further empirical validation for specific design applications. The interplay and prioritization of these dimensions can vary significantly across individuals and cultures.