Engage: designing interior products for the communal dining experience

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

Abstract: This design thesis focuses on the social impact of designing interior products for the communal dinning experience. The emotional sustainability of interior products is closely connected to the ability to transition a consumer to an enduring owner. The enduring owner is one who views a product beyond its functional purpose and appreciates the product's social and positional aesthetic characteristics. Residential communal dinning experiences provide opportunities for individuals to create stronger emotional connections with one another beyond other typical social gatherings. Emotionally sustainable products successfully portray the owner's social position to other individuals while fulfilling the owner's personal desire for products that are aesthetically pleasing, easy to use, and reflect their personality. The current material culture of interior products promotes the consumption of products that appeal to the emotional desires of today's consumers. Therefore, the emotional sustainability occurs through both the relationships among consumers and the relationship between the consumer and their products. This design thesis explores the connections of these relationships through an active design process, which involves a synergy of reflective moments and ideas from the product, designer, and potential end-user.

Additional Information

Publication
Thesis
Language: English
Date: 2011
Keywords
Communal Dining, Product Design, Serving Vessels, Social Dining
Subjects
Design $x Social aspects
Food $x Social aspects

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