Engaging contexts to evoke experiences

In this paper I would like to seduce you to criticise some of the prevailing ideas and mechanisms in product design. Ideas such as: products should make life easier and offer infinite functionality, human-product interaction should be largely based on cognition, and the designer knows what is best for the user. I discuss the difficulties of the prevailing design approach, in particular in the area of technological products. These difficulties do not only appear on a product level (use and user), but also manifest themselves in society and the design discipline in general (profession, research and education). As opposed to the market-driven and goal-oriented design approach, I propose to take respect, engagement and experience as a starting point for both society and design. To highlight the difference, I redefine ‘a product’ as ‘a context for experience’. This new proposal includes an emphasis on the beauty of interaction, an active and creative contribution of the user during the design process, and new research and education strategies based on experience and respect. The proposal is summarised in my attempt to define ‘good’ design