A Framework for the Experience of Product Aesthetics

Abstract

An important part of design expertise is the ability to design products that produce aesthetic affection. The design literature provides different explanations of aesthetic experience, yet its exact meaning remains unclear. This paper addresses this topic by developing a framework for understanding the aesthetic experience of products. The framework contributes to the design literature by: (1) connecting the main processes involved in the aesthetic experience; (2) clarifying how product experiences can be affected by factors other than the product in focus; and (3) deriving different types of experiences of aesthetic emotions. Finally, the implications of these contributions for practice and future research are discussed.

Keywords:

• aesthetic experience
• aesthetic emotion
• product experience
• design aesthetics
• industrial design