Exploring Local Characteristic Product Analysis from an Emotional Design Perspective

Abstract

Taiwan’s local industries are well-developed; however, over time, various local industries have encountered the problem of transformation. This change has prompted businesses to gradually shift their focus to aesthetics and emotional design when developing new products. Consequently, Taiwan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) share the objective of recreating local commercial opportunities to assist in local industry development and promote product innovation regarding Taiwan’s local characteristic industries. The following topics are worthy of further investigation: (1) whether products’ added cultural value can elicit consumer acknowledgement and generate deep emotional impressions; (2) whether a correlation exists between the emotional perception of these cultural products and cultural elements; and (3) whether new values can be created using an interdisciplinary collaborative model of local characteristic industries and industry optimization transformation. Considering globalized competition, designers should seek the essence of originality from their own culture and establish a unique cultural distinction for local characteristic products to improve the product design value and competitiveness. Based on data analysis and a literature review, this study analyzed the development of an integrated relationship between Taiwan’s local characteristics and design industries. Data from relevant analyses indicated the following: (1) Localized life and cultural characteristics and local spirit can sufficiently influence the innovation of local characteristic products; (2) successful local characteristic products must satisfy three levels of emotional design, namely, the visceral, behavioral, and reflective levels; and (3) integration of local characteristic industries and the experience economy concept requires an interdisciplinary exchange platform to stimulate industry innovation and drive emerging industries.