The sacred and profane in design: Exploring the transcendent nature of ordinary products

Abstract

This paper explores how specific products transcend their utilitarian purposes, evoking profound consumer fascination. These objects, characterized by an elusive quality surpassing practicality, acquire deeper meaning and allure. At the core is the concept of the sacred, intertwining the ordinary with the extraordinary, resonating profoundly on a personal level. Despite historical religious associations, the sacred in design extends beyond religion, inviting exploration of inherent sanctity in everyday products. It unravels the complex interplay between the sacred and the profane in design, examining how ordinary products gain heightened significance and become secularly revered by consumers. By assessing dimensions contributing to design object sacredness, particularly in fostering product loyalty, it seeks to delineate criteria defining sacred properties using precise user comments and product examples. Ultimately, this exploration of the secular sacred aims to inspire designers to delve into objects’ profound potential, fostering a comprehensive understanding surpassing traditional religious associations in design.

Keywords:

• Sacredness
• profane
• product design
• transcendent experiences
• Amazon.com

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Serkan Güneş

Serkan Güneş received his B.ID and MSc. in Industrial design from Middle East Technical University (1999–2001). Earned his Ph.D. degree in Planning from METU (2007). He currently works as a Professor at Gazi University, and his interests include design management, economics, and philosophy.

Çisem Ercömert Görgün

Çisem Ercömert received his B.ID and MSc. in Industrial design from Gazi University (2018). She continues his doctoral education at Gazi University. Currently works as a Research Assistant at Gazi University. Her main research interests include design education, user research, and user representation.