DRS2012 Bangkok Proceedings Vol 4 - Design Research Society

1712 Conference Proceedings
Figure 1: security blanket
Emotion: New DNA in design process
Cell phones are similar to the child’s blanket and the cell phones become a life-line to
their users. Amongst many features, mobile phones are commonly used as alarm clocks.
The first thing a user may see and hear in the morning could be their cell phone. After the
first synthetic alarm beep or ring, the cell phone is quickly used for many other activities:
reading the news, checking email, sending text messages, perusing Twitter, updating
Facebook, playing games, calling a loved one, and, if traveling, checking one’s flight
status. The user's emotions are intrinsically attached to this digital device\, and as they
spend a significant amount of time talking to a significant other or family member, their
emotional attachment to the phone gets stronger. Wherever a user goes, it goes –
whether in a pocket, purse, or backpack. The cell phone is not just a part of their lives; it
is their lifeline. They feel disconnected when they lose it or forget to bring it with them.
The user lovingly places their cell phone on their night stand before bed; setting the alarm
to further their emotional relationship again the next day at the first sound of its synthetic
voice. It occurs when people, from unconscious habit or routine activity, embrace an
object that carries accumulated emotions as a main part of one’s life. Gulden, T and
Moestue, C pointed out the importance of understanding psychological phenomenon in
their article:
… in order for the designer to understand a broader picture of behavior and how
to influence it, we suggest the inclusion of awareness of psychological
phenomenon when working with consumer product attachment. (Gulden, T and
Moestue, C. 2011)
This is evidence again that designers continually focus on empathy in their design
process. Empathy at the beginning of the ideation stage will help develop a product that
creates a successful long-term emotional attachment with its user. Gulden, T and
Moestue, C added, “People have the propensity to make decisions on grounds that
originate in earlier behavior.” (Gulden, T and Moestue, C. 2011)