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Afforded exploration: An approach to novel yet understandable product experiences
Authors: Lee, Soyeon; Self, James A.

A product’s form and related affordances, together with interaction possibilities, have a significant influence on the user’s emotional response. Although interaction influences the user’s product experience, little is known of how product interaction may best provide opportunities for novel yet understandably familiar product-user experiences. The purpose of this study is to contribute to understanding the contradictory relationship between novelty and acceptability in product design, with a focus on product interaction. Adopting a research-through-design approach, four bottle designs were developed and prototyped. Two dichotomous theoretical constructs were applied to the four designs: Explanatory-Affordance, Exploratory-Affordance, Explanatory-DisAffordance and Exploratory-DisAffordance-Based designs. The four constructs broadly relate to the types of product interactions afforded through interaction with the four bottle designs. Affordance and DisAffordance-Based designs refer to the product’s ability to afford an understanding of use through form and other signifiers. Explanatory-Exploratory-Based design suggests the extent to which a user may exploratively interact with the product. The four bottle designs were used as stimuli to collect participants’ emotional response under controlled conditions. We confirmed the significant impact of an exploitive approach to product interaction for increased positive response and stimulation of novelty in product appraisal. Moreover, affordance, while not stimulating positive emotion on its own, may provide opportunity for reassurance and acceptability during product interaction when combined with an explorative design approach.

Craft-based design for innovation: Potential in novelty, quality and sustainability through hands-on interaction
Authors: Pinski, Jenny; Kane, Faith; Evans, Mark

The industrial revolution created a rise in mass manufacture, increasing consumption to current unsustainable levels and marking a decline in hands-on craft practice. In contemporary practice, designers frequently employ digital ways of working and, whilst this may create opportunities and efficiencies, it can limit the working of materials by hand. In contrast, hands-on craft processes can develop in-depth knowledge and understanding to help solve complex and novel design problems. With increasing use of digital design methods, it is timely to reflect on the role and value of hands-on craft practices. The study explores the use of craft-based approaches to support design practice in relation to novelty and quality and considers its future potential to contribute towards design for sustainability. A design project that integrated hand weaving with sandal design was undertaken and qualitative data were collected. This was analysed through data reduction, coding, clustering and display and is presented as a case study. The findings indicate that a craft-based approach can contribute to a heightened control of materials, construction and awareness of wider design issues such as the development process, production methods and environmental impact. Difficulties were identified in inefficient use of time and a knowledge/skills gap between specialist design and craft disciplines.

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