A Research on Eudaimonia Perception of Products

Abstract

Along with increase in affective value of product, “bringing happiness to people” has become product designers' mission nowadays. Starting from viewpoint of emotional design, this study discusses rational and perceptual interactive relationship between human and products through pursuing “eudaimonia” philosophy, and utilizes multiple-perspective analysis to know perceptual connotation and design strategy of product eudaimonia perception. Three issues are explored: (1) The Chinese and western theories about “eudaimonia”. (2) Experts and users' viewpoints of eudaimonia perception of a product. (3) The design communication of eudaimonia perception on products. Research results show that connotations of product eudaimonia perception include three aspects: physiological, psychological and spiritual, and this is in agreement with Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. In addition, the generalized 9 dimensions and 20 design indicators of perceptive connotations also demonstrate key features of product eudaimonia perception design. Aimed at beautifying user's somatic and psychic environment as well as delivering optimistic and positive energy, product eudaimonia perception design hopes to construct happy ethics of product design by establishment of product eudaimonia design mode and make “eudaimonia” spread along with expanding of products.