Emotionally Durable Design: Objects, Experiences and Empathy

by Jonathan Chapman

* A cutting edge new textbook for design students and professionals, slated to become the foundation book in the new field of sustainable design for emotional durability-- i.e. "empathetic design"
* Compelling, fluid writing, chapter summaries, and easy-to-use design toolboxes of creative strategies for extending product life and reducing consumption
* Field-tested in university design programs in Britain and Taiwan

This book is a call to arms for professionals, students, and academic creatives; proposing the emergence of a new genre of sustainable design that reduces consumption and waste by increasing the durability of relationships established between users and products. Chapman pioneers a radical design about-face to reduce the impact of modern consumption without compromising commercial or creative edge.

The author explores the essential question, "Why do users discard products that still work?" It transports the reader beyond symptom-focused approaches to sustainable design such as recycling, biodegradeability, and disassembly, to address the actual causes that underpin the environmental crisis we face. The result is a revealing exploration of consumer psychology, the deep motivations that fuel the human condition and a rich treasure of creative strategies that will enable designers from a range of disciplines to explore new ways of thinking and designing of objects capable of supporting deeper and more meaningful relationships with their users.

Genres: Design, Sustainability, Nonfiction, Fashion, Psychology

224 pages, Paperback

First published June 3, 1995

Reviews

[Martin Keith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up on a whim from the library since it reminded me a lot of a friend's dissertation topic - I enjoyed returning to some of those thoughts. Chapman's book brings together thoughts on design, sustainability and psychology. His thesis is that consumerism damages the environment because of how prone people are to throwing away products. The physical durability of our products isn't the problem - plastic will last for thousands of years. Instead, it's the emotional durability of our products that is letting us down. Chapman believes that designers should design their products with features that are conducive to evoking our empathy. By fostering relationships, with spontaneity and mutual fulfilment, we would be less likely to discard functioning objects.

Chapman belabours the point from time to time but I think his thesis is correct. Either way, his program has great potential for inventive design that is also beneficial for the environment. There's images and descriptions of existing designs that exemplify his principles scattered throughout - but he doesn't discuss any of them which I feel was a missed opportunity. BUT - I think any anyone interested in creative pursuits should read this.

[Manish Jadhav · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Emotionally Durable Design" by Jonathan Chapman is a thought-provoking exploration of how to create products that forge deep emotional connections with users, thereby extending their lifespan.

Chapman challenges the throwaway culture by promoting sustainable design principles that prioritize meaningful, lasting relationships between people and their possessions.

A must-read for designers and sustainability advocates.

[Manish Jadhav · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Emotionally Durable Design" by Jonathan Chapman is a thought-provoking exploration of how to create products that forge deep emotional connections with users, thereby extending their lifespan.

Chapman challenges the throwaway culture by promoting sustainable design principles that prioritize meaningful, lasting relationships between people and their possessions.

A must-read for designers and sustainability advocates

[Stefan]

Useful perspective on consumption, accepting that it's a basic human way of interacting with the world and then framing the discussion around the design of physical products that would have a much longer relationship with consumers. Most of the focus is on industrial design, and doesn't easily translate to digital products. Stays largely abstract, and contains few concrete examples.