The Comfort of Design: What are the Qualities of Design that Allow Us to Enjoy Life a Little Bit More?

Abstract

Design research has moved away from product into systems, simultaneously, the role of the designer has been expanded, to a point where the designer, from a product level to a system level, is seen as an omniscient problem-solver, omitting all subjectivity, such as personal bias and external agendas. Seeking a renewed interest in physicality and everyday life, this research investigates our favourite things, to explore what we appreciate about our things and why things matter. Returning to a ‘conventional’ level of design, to explore the narratives of comfort of things alongside corresponding design strategies. This paper presents the results from ten in-depth interviews and at-home observations, which in parallel has moved back and forth from data to theory to create theoretical frameworks that explore the findings. Different factors have been identified through thematic analysis and coding for which qualities of design allow people to enjoy their lives a little bit more. These factors were subsequently organised and categorised into themes. Namely attachment to object, irreplaceables or expressives, attachment to function, tools or practicals, and attachment to function and object, favourite guitars. The following findings have been presented: our strongest emotional ties are generally to our objects that we perceive as irreplaceable, attachments to expressive objects are often embedded in their openings for self-expression and self-creation, attachment to functions which open opportunities for self-expression are rooted in feelings of mastery and flow, and, attachments to practical functions are often rooted in enthusiasm for their behavioural qualities and companionship. Conclusions are drawn as to how people relate to design is personal and fluctuates over time. Object-attachment should not be the objective of design, as this rarely speaks to the appreciation or the need for the design. Moreover, the designer should acknowledge and address the limitations of context, personal-bias, external agendas, and so forth, in the design process. Ultimately, object-attachment or not, there is joy in good behavioural design that fulfils a need. Herein lies the comfort and pleasure of design. And, if it is made to be beautiful, it might be perceived to work even better.