Beyond metaphor in product use and interaction

I found Markussen’s interpretation of how the product metaphor can be dismissed really useful. It pointed out the fact that Anna G should almost visualise a catholic praying when simply viewed. However, if someone is not really interested in the aesthetics of the product they just want to use it then the fact that one would be looking up the corkscrews skirt would conflict with the initial metaphor. The fact that it can give off two extreme of connotations suggests the product is at a disadvantage when it is used. This is really useful because it makes me understand that the same product can express an intentional metaphor (be the same denotations) however the same product can have a variety of connotations through its use which, can be conflicting due to cultural, social, gender etc differences. It is kind of ironic how the products name Anna G adds to the critics of this object.  This reading taught me a lot more terms and expressions I was not familiar with for example the differences between product metaphor, product blend, semantics to name a few.

 A metaphor is to understand and experience something in terms of another. It was interesting in section 3 when the author asserted that metaphors have become a part of our language. E.g. time is money.  How easy the distinction can be made in design but how oblivious we are to it on a day to day basis. I kind of get Lakoff and Johnsons theory on semantics about the connection between a source and a target. Through the experience the target becomes the source.  However it is something I would need to read more on. In the context of Anna G, the corkscrew is the target and the source is a women figure. Therefore Anna G is experienced as a woman when used?

 I do find this area of emotional design really fascinating and helpful in my own designs because it has more connection with semiotics which is was my degree focuses on. I would like to do further research into the 3 processes a product undergoes.

1)      product interaction / meaning attribution

2)      meaning attribution evolving over time through product usage

3)       How a product creates conflicting meanings. 

Emotional Design: Why we love(or hate) everyday things

This reading expresses the authors recent discovers and his reflection on his own work as he talks about how in the past he use to ignore the importance of emotion within the design of everyday things. It touches upon the aspects of Visceral, behaviour and reflection within emotional design. The idea that emotions can change cognition and are therefore valid. Which aims to answer the reoccurring question, why attractive design works better than ugly design? 

Using teapots as an example, he argues that he does not value them for their function but, for their appearance, positivity and memories that are associated with them. Suggesting that if it was not for his emotional attachments to them he would not have bought them.

It is all well and good that things are usable but if people feared them or have no connection then they find no use for them. Aesthetics change our emotions and emotions change the way people think. I also found his thoughts of human evolution interesting. How most animals start at a Visceral level which can only make quick decisions like safe/dangerous. Then other more intelligence animals use behavioural levels which is an analysis of a given situation using the subconscious. But that humans can use all of these as well as a reflective layer which enable one to use both its conscious and subconscious at the same time to retain new information. I do think the reading was useful and it was really easy to understand. I believe that this has given me incite to the extent to which emotional design effects individuals. It also gives me as a designer some direction to methodologies and approaches I should take to project emotional attachments in my work. 

Cultural Probes and the value of uncertainty

I found this reading really fascinating. Before I read the text I didn’t actually know what a cultural probe was so it was really interesting to find out about these schemes and tasks that were put in place to gather information about people. This reading talked about the advantages and disadvantages of cultural probes and its relevance today.  I learnt that cultural probes are used for commercial design, they are used to find solution or to find out information about peoples everyday lives. They involve tasks that inspire people’s response so that they can get insight into individuals’ everyday lives. Often they would be very useful but at times they would be very random as people were not given many instructions. However, I think cultural probes are valid because they may not show what the majority of people want but it unravels personal and private affairs that most people would never know. Which I think is special because you feel like your designing for a person not a mass. However I do not think I will be basing my essay on this topic.