This study aimed to examine the perceptual characteristics of elementary students regarding the information unit in the Practical Arts curriculum, both before and after the application of an invention education program, as well as to identify changes in their perceptions following participation. To explore this issue, the study utilized the “Regular Curriculum-Linked Invention Education Program” developed in 2024 by Ministry Of Intellectual Property and the Korea Invention Promotion Association. The program, based on the information unit, was applied over four class hours each to a general class and a gifted information class. A pre- and post-test survey using the semantic differential method was conducted to measure perceptual traits and changes. The results showed that general class students exhibited mixed perceptions both before and after participation, with no statistically significant differences found in their perceptions of the information unit overall. However, some adjective pairs showed shifts in perceptual responses. In particular, the adjective groups “positive–negative” and “competitive–cooperative” shifted from lower levels of perception before the program to moderate levels afterward, indicating a strengthening of perceptual responsiveness. In contrast, the gifted information class students showed statistically significant differences at the .05 level only in the adjective group “brilliant–dull.” However, the number of adjective groups with very strong perceptual responses increased after the program compared to before. This suggests that the gifted students’ heightened interest, immersion, and experience in creative problem-solving contributed to the enhancement of their perceptual responsiveness. In conclusion, the study highlights the significance of applying invention education programs within the information unit of the Practical Arts curriculum, suggesting valuable implications for expanding such integration in future educational practice.

String instrument timbre is influenced by a complex interplay of string material, instrument body characteristics, and playing technique. However, the perceptual effects of different string materials and their relationship with acoustic parameters remain incompletely understood. This study investigates how violin string materials (gut, nylon, and steel) affect subjective timbre perception and their correlation with acoustic features. Violin sounds were recorded using an automated bowing machine, ensuring consistency, and analyzed for spectral energy distribution and formant frequencies. Subjective impressions were collected using a semantic differential (SD) method, and factor analysis identified three key perceptual dimensions: Texture, Sharpness, and Power. Statistical analysis revealed that string material significantly influenced perceived timbre, with gut and nylon strings associated with darker and rougher tones and steel strings producing brighter and more defined sounds. Correlation analysis showed that Timbre perception was negatively associated with formant frequencies, while Sharpness was influenced by high-frequency energy levels, particularly in the mid-to-high range. Power exhibited weaker correlations with acoustic parameters, suggesting additional influences from temporal dynamics and instrument-specific characteristics. A Gradient Boosting Tree (GBT) regression model was employed to predict subjective impressions from acoustic parameters, demonstrating superior performance over linear regression methods (R² ≈ 0.47 for Timbre and Sharpness). Sensitivity analysis further confirmed that formant frequencies and spectral balance played a critical role in shaping timbre perception. These findings provide valuable insights into the perceptual mechanisms of violin timbre, benefiting musicians, instrument makers, and computational timbre modeling research.

To address the problem of inaccurate multidimensional emotion expression in Multi-emotional Product Color Design (MEPCD), we propose a method that integrates non-cooperative–cooperative game theory (NC-CGT) with a multi-objective genetic algorithm (MOGA). First, we construct an user multidimensional emotion dataset using web crawlers, natural language processing, cluster analysis, and semantic differential method. Next, we develop a conflict elimination model based on NC-CGT, optimizing color design strategies through Nash equilibrium and negotiation to maximize both individual emotional utility and overall multidimensional emotional utility. We then utilize MOGA for color design optimization, generating innovative MEPCD solutions that align with users’ multidimensional emotions preferences. Finally, we validate the effectiveness of our method by establishing a multi-emotional product color system, exemplified through the design of smart massage chairs.

Introduction . Professional activity is an essential part of a person’s life and often occupies a prominent position in their value system. This is supported by numerous domestic and international studies, which demonstrate the impact of professional activity on individual psychological well-being and overall life satisfaction. Everyone has unique ideas about what they want their job to be like and about their future, and these ideas guide their choice of profession and workplace, aiming to align with their life goals. However, there is a lack of research on how people at different stages of life relate work and life parameters. Objective. To identify age-specific ideas about the relationship between work and life parameters. Materials and Methods . To achieve this goal, the semantic differential method was used. Statistical processing of the research results was carried out using Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient. Results . The study involved 105 participants, divided into four groups based on age: first-year students, fourth-year students, young professionals with 2–5 years of work experience, and more experienced professionals with 5–10 years of work experience. Within each group, significant correlations were found between work-related parameters and life-related parameters. First-year students imagined that six work-related factors would be connected to eight life-related factors. Fourth-year students saw six work factors connected to seven life factors. The group of younger professionals showed the most significant connections, while the more experienced professionals saw fewer work factors linked to more life factors in their future. Discussion . The first-year students have idealistic ideas about the future relationship between work and life, while fourth-year students have more clear and objective correlations, indicating that their ideas are more realistic. Young professionals’ ideas about this relationship often reflect a desire for hedonism and a certain level of confusion. Experienced employees, on the other hand, have clear, structured, and meaningful ideas about how work and life should be balanced.

The Minnan region in China boasts a rich religious culture, giving rise to the distinctive Minnan folk wooden altar table (MFWAT). This study investigated the MFWAT’s artistic characteristics and aesthetic preferences using Kansei Engineering (KE) and eye tracking (ET). The Semantic Differential (SD) method assessed perceptual evaluations, while eye tracking (ET) tests analyzed design elements via heat maps and areas of interest (AOI). Preference ratings complemented the objective measures. Factor analysis indicated that perceptual imagery comprised two principal components: stable-lightweight/dignified-relaxed and simple-complex/ceremonial-practical. Eye movement metrics showed decorative components (AOI-3) attracted significantly more attention than leg-foot (AOI-2) and panel components (AOI-1). Sample GA1 achieved the highest preference score, supporting the eye tracking (ET) findings. Decorative components were the most dominant elements. This integration of subjective and objective methods revealed MFWAT’s aesthetic characteristics and provides references for modern wooden furniture’s innovative design.

This article provides a comprehensive study of the semantic correspondence of Kazakh vowel sounds within the framework of sound symbolism theory. The main aim of the research is to determine the associations between specific vowel phonemes and universal semantic oppositions through experimental methods, and to reveal their cognitive and cultural foundations. Although sound symbolism has been widely investigated in global linguistics, it remains insufficiently explored in Kazakh linguistics. Thus, this study addresses an important gap in the field. Five Kazakh vowel sounds (A, Ä, İ, O, Ū) and ten semantic oppositions (big–small, white–black, light–dark, male– female, strong–weak) were selected as material. The experiment involved 67 native speakers of Kazakh aged 18–25. A survey was conducted on Google Forms using the semantic differential method. The collected data were analyzed with the Jamovi program, calculating mean values, medians, and standard deviations. The findings demonstrated that the associations between sounds and meanings are not random. The vowels “O” and “Ū” were most often linked with concepts of largeness, strength, and masculinity, while “İ” and “Ä” were associated with weakness, smallness, and femininity. The vowel “A” revealed a universal symbolic function by showing significant associations with opposite categories such as “white–black” and “light–dark.” This highlights its multifunctional role in the Kazakh language. Overall, the study proves that sound symbolism in Kazakh is grounded not only in articulatory and acoustic features, but also in cognitive and cultural factors.

The selection of border elements between pedestrian walkways and vehicular roads is a critical aspect of urban landscape design that supports safety, comfort, and visual aesthetics. One widely adopted approach is the use of vegetation as a natural separator. This study aims to visually analyze the effectiveness of plant selection in separating these two functional zones, focusing on safety, visual legibility, and aesthetic value. This research seeks to strengthen through landscape enhancement while providing a pleasant pedestrian experience. The study employed one original site photograph and four digitally altered (montaged) images, which were evaluated by 30 respondents using structured questionnaires. Scenic Beauty Estimation (SBE) and Semantic Differential (SD) methods were applied to assess visual aesthetic quality. The results indicate that plant type significantly influences perceived aesthetic quality and is closely associated with user perception. The study concludes that medium-height shrubs are the most suitable choice for pedestrian borders, as they enhance visual aesthetics while maintaining a functional and environmentally responsive road landscape.

To address the growing demand for sustainable, functional, and culturally aesthetic outdoor leisure chairs while enhancing their emotional and cultural significance, this study proposes a design strategy that integrates Kansei engineering with parametric derivation. Plant patterns derived from traditional Chinese artifacts were selected as the research subject, and their types and structural characteristics were systematically classified to construct a representative pattern library. The semantic differential method was employed to evaluate perceptual images and identify patterns consistent with the aesthetic values of outdoor furniture. By using parametric software, the shape of the pattern is simplified into functional holes, achieving lightweight and heat dissipation functions. Two conceptual designs for outdoor leisure chairs were realized using bio-based materials, resulting in reduced material use. The proposed designs were assessed using fuzzy evaluation methods, which yielded high satisfaction scores and validated the feasibility and effectiveness of the approach.

This study investigates the effectiveness of watering indoor plants as a stress-reduction strategy compared to engaging in computer tasks among college students. Participants randomly assigned to one of two groups each performed their respective activities for 15 min. A comprehensive evaluation included measures of blood pressure, electroencephalography, the semantic differential method and the state-trait anxiety inventory to assess emotional and physiological responses. Results revealed a significant decrease in systolic blood pressure, while electroencephalography data showed neural patterns associated with a more relaxed cognitive state. Participants in the plant-watering group also exhibited higher meditation scores, reinforcing the stress-relieving potential of this intervention. Psychological data indicated that those in the plant-watering group reported greater relaxation, comfort and perceived connection to nature, as well as lower anxiety scores, compared to the computer task group. These findings highlight the benefits of nature-based activities in reducing stress and promoting well-being in academic and work environments.

ABSTRACT Occupant moods significantly impact work performance; therefore, it is essential to condition moods to support productivity. Considering that lighting has been proven to influence occupant mood, this study aims to analyze the effect of lighting on mood to create a predictive lighting model based on the effect of influencing variables. The study adopted a research method similar to that of Flynn (1973), who produced a relaxed-mood lighting model and developed Flynn’s method by observing the effect of luminance, correlated color temperature (CCT), and lighting placement on lighting impression and similarity, alert-fatigue mood, and relaxed-tense mood using the semantic differential method. The similarity assessment was performed using multidimensional scaling (MDS) to show the relative contributions of different lighting variables in a 3D form. Mood assessment was analyzed using regression, which was later applied to the 3D model from MDS to construct a mood-lighting model. The results show that luminance, correlated color temperature, and lighting placement influence bright–dim, warm–cool, and direct–indirect lighting impressions, as well as alert–fatigue mood and relaxed-tense mood. The results were beneficial in predicting the conditioning of: 1) an alert mood or avoiding lighting that conditions a fatigue mood based on color temperature, luminance, and placement; and 2) a relaxed mood or prevention of a tense mood by adjusting the brightness, followed by warm-cool CCT, and then placing the overhead peripherals.

Study on window size and indoor color of typical residential units based on EEG measurement and semantic differential method coupling analysis

Depression rates have been rising globally, making it a significant public health concern. Increasing evidence suggests that exposure to natural environments has positive effects on mental health. However, most studies on the restorative effects of nature have focused on healthy individuals, with limited data available on vulnerable populations, such as patients with depression. This study examined the physiological and psychological relaxation effects of viewing a small urban green space (biotope) on outpatients with depression. Conducted in an urban clinical setting, this crossover study involved 28 adult male outpatients with major depressive disorder. The experimental condition involved viewing a biotope outside the clinic, while the control condition involved viewing a building facade. Heart rate variability was used as a physiological indicator, while subjective evaluations were conducted using the modified semantic differential method and the Profile of Mood States 2nd Edition (POMS 2) short version. Results indicated that biotope viewing significantly increased parasympathetic nervous activity while decreasing sympathetic nervous activity. Subjectively, participants reported increased comfort, relaxation, and naturalness. POMS 2 assessments further revealed a significant reduction in negative affect scores and an increase in positive affect scores. This study provides empirical evidence that integrating small-scale urban greenery into clinical environments can promote relaxation and well-being in individuals with depression. Given the high levels of stress in urban populations, particularly in overcrowded cities like Tokyo, incorporating accessible green spaces in urban planning may serve as a viable intervention to mitigate environmental health disparities and improve mental health outcomes.

In the context of Industry 4.0, user demands for industrial robots have shifted toward diversification and experience-orientation. Effectively integrating users’ affective imagery requirements into industrial-robot form design remains a critical challenge. Traditional methods rely heavily on designers’ subjective judgments and lack objective data on user cognition. To address these limitations, this study develops a comprehensive methodology grounded in Kansei engineering that combines Extenics-based semantic analysis, eye-tracking experiments, and user imagery evaluation. First, we used web crawlers to harvest user-generated descriptors for industrial floor-cleaning robots and applied Extenics theory to quantify and filter key perceptual imagery features. Second, eye-tracking experiments captured users’ visual-attention patterns during robot observation, allowing us to identify pivotal design elements and assemble a sample repository. Finally, the semantic differential method collected users’ evaluations of these design elements, and correlation analysis mapped emotional needs onto stylistic features. Our findings reveal strong positive correlations between four core imagery preferences—“dignified,” “technological,” “agile,” and “minimalist”—and their corresponding styling elements. By integrating qualitative semantic data with quantitative eye-tracking metrics, this research provides a scientific foundation and novel insights for emotion-driven design in industrial floor-cleaning robots.

Urban parks are an important component of public urban spaces, which directly impact the living experiences of residents and the urban image. High-quality urban parks are crucial for enhancing the well-being of residents. This study selected Fukuoka, Japan, as the study site. Five urban parks were chosen to evaluate landscape visual quality by using the Scenic Beauty Estimation (SBE) method. The Semantic Differential (SD) method was used to get sample subjective landscape features. Meanwhile, sample objective landscape features were obtained by using semantic segmentation techniques in deep learning and combined with spatial analysis to understand their distribution. A regression model was established, which used the SBE values as the dependent variable and subjective landscape features as the independent variables to analyze the relationship between urban park landscape visual quality and subjective landscape features. The regression analysis revealed that sense of layering, harmony, interestingness, sense of order, and vitality were the core factors influencing visual quality. All five features had a significant positive impact on landscape visual quality. The sense of order was the most influential factor, which would be the key to enhancing the landscape perception experience. Moreover, the XGBoost model and SHAP value from machine learning were used to reveal the nonlinear relationships and significant threshold effects between urban park visual quality and five objective landscape features: openness, greenness, enclosure, vegetation diversity, and Shannon–Wiener diversity index. This study showed that when openness exceeded 0.27, the positive effect was significant. The optimal threshold for the greenness was 0.38. Vegetation diversity and enclosure had to be below 0.82 and 0.58, respectively, to have a positive impact. Meanwhile, the positive influence of the Shannon–Wiener diversity index reached its maximum at a value of 1.37. This study not only establishes a systematic method for diagnosing landscape problems and evaluating landscape visual quality but also provides both theoretical support and practical guidance for urban park landscape optimization.

In recent years, the application of virtual reality (VR) for spatial evaluation has gained traction in the fields of architecture and interior design. However, for VR to serve as a viable substitute for real-world environments, it is essential that experiences within VR elicit emotional responses comparable to those evoked by actual spaces. Despite this prerequisite, there remains a paucity of studies that objectively compare and evaluate the emotional responses elicited by VR and real-world environments. Consequently, it is not yet fully understood whether VR can reliably replicate the emotional experiences induced by physical spaces. This study aims to investigate the influence of presentation modality on emotional responses by comparing a VR space and a real-world space with identical designs. The comparison was conducted using both subjective evaluations (Semantic Differential method) and physiological indices (electroencephalography and heart rate variability). The results indicated that the real-world environment was associated with impressions of comfort and preference, whereas the VR environment evoked impressions characterized by heightened arousal. Additionally, elevated beta wave activity and increased beta/alpha ratios were observed in the VR condition, suggesting a state of high arousal, as further supported by positioning on the Emotion Map. Moreover, analysis of pNN50 revealed a transient increase in parasympathetic nervous activity during the VR experience. This study is positioned as a pilot investigation to explore physiological and emotional differences between VR and real spaces.

This study explores the emotional needs of female users regarding surfwear pattern design from a design perspective, aiming to provide practical guidance for designers and apparel brands in developing surfwear patterns. First, five leading surfwear brands with top market performance and consumer reputation (O’NEIL, Rip Curl, Roxy, Decathlon, Hisea) were systematically analyzed. Based on a questionnaire survey and the KJ method, 12 representative women’s surfwear samples with distinct pattern styles were selected. Subsequently, a stratified sampling method was used to ensure age-balanced responses from female participants aged 10-40 with surfing experience (10-20 years: 14.28%, 20-30 years: 67.15%, 30-40 years: 14.28%), yielding 59 valid questionnaires. The survey was designed using Kansei engineering methodology and included nine pairs of affective adjectives (e.g., “natural-artificial,” “soft-rugged,” “traditional-modern,” “complex-minimalist”) to describe the overall style of surfwear. Participants rated 12 sample images using a semantic differential method and a five-point Likert scale. Factor analysis (FA) was conducted on the ratings of the nine adjective pairs, revealing three principal factors that influence the overall perception of surfwear patterns: the fashion-personality factor, the natural-dynamic factor, and the modern-vitality factor. The findings demonstrate that pattern design plays a significant role in shaping the emotional impression of women’s surfwear. While different patterns produce varied visual effects, they can evoke similar emotional responses. Based on the three extracted Kansei factors, corresponding design strategies are proposed: for users oriented toward fashion and individuality, digital prints, geometric cuts, and gradient patchwork are recommended; for those seeking natural dynamism, integrating nature-inspired and biomimetic designs can enhance comfort and emotional resonance; and for users favoring modern vitality, incorporating street art and futurist elements can satisfy the demand for strong visual impact. This research provides a valuable reference for surfwear pattern design targeting female users. Furthermore, it enriches the theoretical foundation of Kansei engineering in the context of marine sportswear and contributes to improving product design capabilities and brand competitiveness within the industry.

With increasing digital health awareness and the widespread use of mobile devices, health management apps have become vital tools for behavioral intervention. However, most apps prioritize functionality while neglecting emotional experiences in visual and auditory interactions, limiting long-term engagement. This study adopts Don Norman’s emotional design theory, integrating the Semantic Differential (SD) method and Kano model to evaluate 10 key interfaces across six affective dimensions. Results show that “exercise planning” and “social challenge” features excel in visceral design, while “goal achievement reminder” needs improvement at the behavioral level. Kano analysis further identifies attractive attributes that enhance user retention. A three-level design strategy is proposed to integrate functionality with emotional engagement.This study empirically confirmed that emotional design positively influences users' emotional experience and continued use of health management apps.

This study proposes a systematic evaluation model for design element preferences in women’s surfwear, grounded in Kansei design theory and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), with the aim of addressing female users’ emotional needs. Anchored in the framework of Kansei design, four critical design elements—fabric, silhouette, color, and pattern—were identified, along with corresponding emotional vocabularies. Through a combination of qualitative interviews and the Semantic Differential (SD) method, emotional assessments of nine representative surfwear images were collected via an online questionnaire. Subsequently, ten academic experts conducted pairwise comparisons of 16 sub-elements under the four categories using AHP, enabling the quantification of each element’s relative weight in shaping users’ affective perceptions. The weighting results are as follows: for fabric, the sub-elements are ranked as breathable > quick-drying > lightweight > soft; for silhouette, the order is free > agile > streamlined > tight-fitting; for color, the preferences are ranked vivid > fresh > cool-toned > classic; and for Pattern the ranking is figurative > dynamic > delicate > individualistic. Based on the above hierarchy, the study proposes targeted design strategies: prioritize high-porosity, quick-drying textile materials; adopt ergonomically driven 3D tailoring for enhanced freedom of movement; utilize high-contrast and gradient-based color palettes; and incorporate figurative natural motifs as the primary visual language. These strategies are intended to enhance both the emotional resonance and functional performance of women’s surfwear products. By integrating emotional design principles with quantitative evaluation methods, this research provides a theoretical and methodological foundation for user-centered product development in the domain of functional apparel design. It also offers strategic insights for future innovations in surfwear that balance affective appeal with practical usability.

To address the challenge that the perceptual evaluation dimensions of lacquer-wood furniture cultural relics imitations are inherently abstract and challenging to quantify, this study established a systematic perceptual evaluation framework to support the high-quality and large-scale development of lacquer-wood furniture cultural relics imitations. Based on 12 evaluation indicators derived through the Delphi method, six key perceptual evaluation indicators were identified. Using the semantic differential method (SD), evaluators assessed and scored 13 pairs of cultural relic imitation samples. Principal component analysis (PCA) was employed to extract the core evaluation factors. At the same time, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was conducted to examine the impact of evaluator group type and sample type on the assessment results. Additionally, the Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory model (DEMATEL) was utilized to determine the weight distribution of the core evaluation factors. The findings indicated that the perceptual evaluation system, constructed based on six core evaluation factors, exhibits strong scientific validity and practical applicability. This system is a standardized and objective tool for evaluating and certifying the quality of lacquer-wood furniture cultural relic imitations in museums.

With the advancement of digital intelligence technologies, artificial intelligence has become a crucial supporting technology in the design and development of smart home products for the elderly. However, elderly users often face significant challenges in using these technological products. Therefore, improving user experience and bridging the technology gap has become a key research focus. This study, based on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), explores how emotional design influences elderly users’ acceptance of smart home products. It examines the design principles and strategies for integrating generative artificial intelligence into smart home products for the elderly through the instinctive, behavioural, and reflective levels. Additionally, a perceptual evaluation standard was established, and the Semantic Differential (SD) method was employed to support design decision-making. The proposed method was illustrated through an empirical study of the design of a smart dining table. Through multidimensional optimisation, emotional design enhances elderly users’ acceptance of smart home products. Furthermore, the study explores the potential of AIGC (Artificial Intelligence-Generated Content) technology in embedding users’ emotional needs into product design, providing useful guidance for the future development of smart products for the elderly.