Title: Product attachment and replacement: implications for sustainable design

Authors: Tom Page

Addresses: Electronic Product Design, Loughborough Design School, Loughborough University, LDS.1.18, LE11 3TU, UK

Abstract: This research investigated a number of main areas of attachment in order to determine how consumer-product relationships are formed and to identify whether these feelings influence replacement decisions. Primary research comprised of interviews with consumers to discuss the topic area in relation to three possessions selected for their attachment qualities. The research highlighted how attachment is determined by multiple themes, many of which are circumstantial to consumers' experiences and therefore difficult for designers to control. Findings showed that memories were the most prominent theme of participants' attachment, closely followed by pleasure and usability. Enjoyment and pleasure were found to be the primary reason for attachment to newly purchased items, whereas nostalgia was highest for older possessions. Appearance and reliability were found to have considerable influence on participants' attitudes towards replacement.

Keywords: product attachment; product replacement; sustainable design; sustainability; consumer-product relationships; usability; enjoyment; pleasure; nostalgia; product appearance; product reliability.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSDES.2014.065057

International Journal of Sustainable Design, 2014 Vol.2 No.3, pp.265 - 282

Received: 28 Nov 2013
Accepted: 01 Jul 2014
Published online: 25 Oct 2014 *

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