Designing For Emotion Chapter 1

This week in my PR publications course, we were asked to read chapter 1 of Designing For Emotion. In addition to reading the chapter, we were asked to name one thing that we agree with and one thing that we disagree with.

One thing that I read that I agree with is this quote from the text: “While big-box stores proliferate disposable mass-market goods, websites like Etsy and Kickstarter are empowering artists, craftspeople, and DIY inventors who sell goods they’ve designed and created. And their customers love the experience. When you buy from an independent craftsman, you support creative thinking and families (not corporations), and you gain the opportunity to live with an object that has a story. That feels good.”

I think that is very true that a lot of times, we forget about the quality and the uniqueness you can find in a hand made good, and it’s refreshing to have every once in a while.

Something I disagree with in the chapter are the multiple times the author uses real world examples of emotional attachment to design. I don’t think you can really relate design to an emotional attachment the way babies do their parents, or a brand personality being relatable as if it were another human. I understand he is metaphorically speaking, but I think it is blown a little out of proportion.