USER-OBJECT ASSOCIATION (JO)

deepikagupta20
Jan 17, 2021
3 min read

Updated: Jan 21, 2021

PRE-WORK:

Identifying different categories of user groups.

TASK 6: CONSUMER AND BUYING BEHAVIOUR

For studying the consumer behavior, I chose two users: one was a teacher and the other was a CA. The reason for selecting these users was because they both were from different profession and also belonged to different generations. So, I was sure that I will get some interesting and may be contradicting answers from both.

VISUAL NARRATIVE:

After gathering the information, I realized that paper clip is something that is very rarely used and with the invention of staplers, there is now a better object to fulfil the purpose of binding the papers.

So I decided to present this insight in a funny way by personifying the objects.

FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE CONSUMER'S BEHAVIOUR:

All the icons are created by me only using adobe illustrator

RESOURCE STUDY:

I saw a video on "The Art of Choosing" which wonderfully makes one understand how important it is to have a choice and how they affect us. After watching this, I realized that "if a choice affects you then you should be the one to make it" so that there won't be anyone to blame for the situation later. Our choices are influenced by so many other factors such as culture as well. It affects the human psychology and shapes an individual. The thing that I learnt through this video is to "Be true to yourself" and don't let anyone else decide what is best for you.

TASK 7: UNDERSTANDING MAKING

For doing this task, I chose the common loop shaped paper clip.

REFLECTION:

1. How is the form of an object driven by the functional and emotional needs of its user?

The first step in designing any object is to consider the need of the user. Functional and emotional are the two basic needs of any user.

Functional needs deal with the practical part and is concerned with the convenience and efficiency of the object whereas emotional needs are driven by satisfaction and their perception about it. For example, buying a product to fulfil a purpose is a functional need whereas looking for "eco-friendly" products is an emotional need.

It is important to keep in mind consumer satisfaction as delivering only functional category benefits makes it harder to build a lasting connection and survive in the market. However, it is equally important for the object to evolve with the changing technology or it will lag behind in the race. Even though consumers might not talk about it but satisfying the emotional needs such as safety, acceptance, and love, builds a stronger brand value and lays the foundation of trust between the consumer and the producer.

What if the edges of the paper clip were not curved? It would have hurt the consumer and developed a feeling of danger and distrust. User needs are about understanding different stages of people's lives. When we understand why do people live their lives in a certain manner fulfilling their goals and aspirations, then only we will be able to help them by making their lives easier.

Design is about putting emotions into practical work and understanding these needs are a way to cut through those complexities of life and simplify it.

2. Factors that inform the aesthetics of an object:

I believe that it is not possible for an object to have an aesthetic look but it is possible for it to have an aesthetic appeal. Aesthetic is basically the study of beauty and taste. So aesthetic is used to determine the reasons behind why one likes a particular sample of the same object even though they both have the same use. Some of the factors relating to the aesthetics of an object are:

Color: Different colors have different psychological effects on our minds.
Emotional response/ symbolism: People prefer objects that convey a certain message and arouse emotions in them or are a symbol of high status.
Material aspect: Even the material influences the aesthetics of an object. The shiny and smooth finish of the material is more likely to catch the consumer's attention.