Perceptual factors underlying user preferences toward product form of mobile phones

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between user preference perception of mobile phones and their form design elements. Subjects were asked to judge 26 mobile phone designs by using a user preference rating scale for 11 image words. The determining factors for user preference, including image words for design trends and product design elements, were specified through the semantic differential method. It was found that users prefer mobile phone designs with soft and compact images. Design reference models composed of relative weights of design elements were then proposed for specific design trends. In accordance with the design reference model, optimal solutions for preference and design trends of “soft” and “compact” were obtained through a specific algorithm. Concrete examples were illustrated and verified. The user's preference database can serve as the styling benchmark to help designers adopt a proper design and development perspective for the intended end users. Relevance to industry Important design elements and design trends related to the user's preference for mobile phones were extracted from the study. The optimal design solutions obtained from the database can serve as the styling benchmark for designers and managers in making design strategy, by which the time and cost of product development can be reduced.