Affect is the Centre for Affective Design Research at Massey University. We focus on creating desirable, meaningful and appropriate experiences through theoretical and applied design research projects.
What is Affective product design about?
Successful product design today is much more than just creating products that do the things you want them to. Today it's all about offering people experiences that are appropriate, desirable and meaningful - sensorially, cognitively and emotionally.
As consumers in the 21st century, we increasingly own, use and interact with products and services in ways that are instrumental in achieving delight, pleasure and attaining meaning and social connectedness.
Functionality and usability are fundamental characteristics of a good product but this alone does not guarantee product success. In order to be truly successful from a business, societal and environmental pint of view, the product must instantly appeal and sustain this appeal over time.
We call this area 'affective design'. Research in affective design has two significant areas of specific importance:
- As a knowledge and design development area, in order to more effectively design products that create intended affective experiences for people
- From the perspective of industrial competitiveness and global sustainability