Creating emotional durability: surface, narrative, and ritual

UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
III. John Thomas Vance Kennedy (Creator)
Institution
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/
Advisor
C. Tommy Lambeth

Abstract: The concept of emotional durability seeks to connect users and objects through a deeper and evolving relationship. Products that engage the user and allow them to create a dialog and history between each other have a better chance of staying in the home and out of the landfill. This thesis aims to uncover ways to develop products that embody principles of emotional durability. The thesis work itself evolved over time into four basic divisions. The first seeks to develop products that include a historical narrative and a surface that can evolve or develop a patina over time. During the second division understating the material properties of porcelain leads to the development that the mark of the maker’s hand is instrumental in creating a dialogue with a user and invites them to develop their own history. The final division focuses on distilling forms to their simplest attributes allowing the mark of the maker to shine through, including the development of glaze techniques that create unique surfaces that encourage a user to develop a relationship with the product. Kitchenware objects involved in the ritual of dining were chosen to explore the concept of emotional durability in product design. Products were created in porcelain, glass, and aluminum. Each showcases different attributes that can contribute to a product being emotionally durable.

Additional Information

Publication
Thesis
Language: English
Date: 2016
Keywords
Emotional Durability, Product Design
Subjects
Kitchen utensils
Design $x Psychological aspects

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