Short answer

Integrate a multi-dimensional user experience framework into material evaluation processes to ensure products meet both functional and emotional user needs.

Field: User-Centred Design
Source: Proceedings of the Design Society (2021)
Method: Case study and guideline formulation
Evidence: Moderate effect

Understanding materials through sensorial, interpretive, affective, and performative dimensions provides a comprehensive framework for design. This user-centred design research insight is drawn from a 2021 study published in Proceedings of the Design Society. Using Case study and guideline formulation, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Integrate a multi-dimensional user experience framework into material evaluation processes to ensure products meet both functional and emotional user needs.

Study

User-Centred DesignHigh ImpactModerate effect

Holistic Material Experience Framework Enhances Design Decisions

Understanding materials through sensorial, interpretive, affective, and performative dimensions provides a comprehensive framework for design.

Proceedings of the Design Society · 2021

Key Findings

01A four-level framework (sensorial, interpretive, affective, performative) can systematically describe the material experience.
02Comparable plastic demonstrators are crucial for within-class material comparisons.
03Consumer assessment is vital for capturing subjective material experiences.

Application

Design takeaway

Integrate a multi-dimensional user experience framework into material evaluation processes to ensure products meet both functional and emotional user needs.

How to apply

When selecting materials, conduct user studies that explore not just tactile properties but also how users interpret, feel about, and interact with the material in use.

Project actions

01When evaluating materials for your design project, consider creating prototypes that allow users to experience the material's texture, appearance, and how it feels to hold and use.
02Design questionnaires or interview guides that probe users' emotional responses and interpretations of the material.

Method & Evidence

AimHow can designers systematically characterize the holistic material experience of plastics to inform design decisions?

MethodCase study and guideline formulation

ProcedureThe research developed a framework for setting up experiential material characterization studies, focusing on plastic demonstrators and consumer assessment. It discussed key elements such as assessors, stimuli, interaction modalities, dependent variables, methodology, and practical considerations.

ContextMaterial characterization in product design

Variables

IV["Material type","Product form (demonstrator)"]

DV["Sensorial experience ratings","Interpretive responses","Affective responses (emotions)","Perceived performance"]

CV["Assessor demographics","Testing environment","Interaction modalities"]

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Provides a structured, multi-dimensional approach to material experience.
+Emphasizes the importance of user-centric evaluation in material selection.

Limitations

It can be difficult to isolate and measure each of the four experiential levels independently, and user responses can be subjective and vary widely.

Reliability & validity

Reliability could be improved by using standardized rating scales and clear instructions for assessors. Validity is enhanced by the multi-dimensional approach, capturing a broader spectrum of user experience than single-attribute testing.

Think critically

To what extent can the 'performative' aspect of material experience be objectively measured, and how might this subjectivity impact the reliability of design guidelines?

Design Principles

"Design for holistic material experience by considering sensorial, interpretive, affective, and performative aspects."

This framework moves beyond purely technical material properties to encompass how users subjectively experience and interact with materials. By considering these multiple dimensions, designers can create products that not only function well but also resonate emotionally and experientially with their target audience.

What This Means for Your Design

Think about how people *feel* and *interact* with materials, not just what they're made of. This helps you choose materials that people will like and use well.

How to use in your project

1.Reference this research when justifying your material selection process, particularly if you conducted user testing to evaluate material experience beyond basic properties.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

The selection of materials for this design project was informed by a holistic understanding of user experience, moving beyond purely technical specifications. Drawing on frameworks that consider sensorial, interpretive, affective, and performative dimensions of material interaction (Veelaert et al., 2021), efforts were made to evaluate how potential users would subjectively engage with and perceive the chosen materials, aiming for a more resonant and effective product outcome.

Source

Proceedings of the Design Society

FORMULATING GUIDELINES FOR THE SYSTEMATIC SET-UP OF EXPERIENTIAL MATERIAL CHARACTERIZATION STUDIES: A CASE OF PLASTIC DEMONSTRATORS

journal · 2021

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about holistic material experience framework enhances design decisions?: Integrate a multi-dimensional user experience framework into material evaluation processes to ensure products meet both functional and emotional user needs. Evidence: Proceedings of the Design Society (2021).
Why does "Holistic Material Experience Framework Enhances Design Decisions" matter for design?: This framework moves beyond purely technical material properties to encompass how users subjectively experience and interact with materials. By considering these multiple dimensions, designers can create products that not only function well but also resonate emotionally and experientially with their target audience.
How can designers apply this research?: Integrate a multi-dimensional user experience framework into material evaluation processes to ensure products meet both functional and emotional user needs.
What were the main findings?: A four-level framework (sensorial, interpretive, affective, performative) can systematically describe the material experience.. Comparable plastic demonstrators are crucial for within-class material comparisons.. Consumer assessment is vital for capturing subjective material experiences.
What research method was used?: Case study and guideline formulation.
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2021 journal from Proceedings of the Design Society.
What should I do differently in my next project?: When selecting materials, conduct user studies that explore not just tactile properties but also how users interpret, feel about, and interact with the material in use.
What are the limitations?: The study focused specifically on plastics, and the generalizability of the framework to other material classes may require further investigation. The complexity of 'performative' aspects can be challenging to quantify.