Contending stigma in product design: Using insights from social psychology as a stepping stone for design strategies

Contending stigma in product design: Using insights from social psychology as a stepping stone for design strategies

Vaes, K.R.V.
Stappers, P.J.
Standaert, A.
Desager, K.

Industrial Design Engineering

Industrial Design

2012-12-31

Assistive, protective or medical products that are visibly worn or used in proximity to the human body can have an emotional impact on their users and bystanders. In his design effort it is important for a designer to be mindful of the potential stigma a product might elicit. The identity threat model of Major (2005) is used as a stepping-stone towards a conceptual structuring of product related stigma issues that could engender vital specifications for a stigma-free design approach. Our conceptual framework encompasses four context modalities and suggests three strategies to contend product related stigma. In a first strategy we situate efforts towards understanding the social and societal context in which products are launched and perceived. A second strategy addresses efforts that the designer can direct towards re-shaping the meaning of the product. A third strategy groups efforts towards empowering the user against stigma.

human centered design, product semantics, stigma, product acceptance

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:3157349a-bd30-4407-83fa-e71939055e9b

Central Saint Martins College of Arts and Design

Out of Control; Proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Design and Emotion, London, Great Britain, 11-14 Sept. 2012

Institutional Repository

conference paper

(c) 2012 The Authors