Created by Edinburgh Napier University

Objects of Desire

A product designer’s job is to create products which fulfil a human need. Sometimes these needs are mostly functional, but often (more often than we realise or admit) those needs are emotional.

These two lessons will help you identify some of the tools which designers use to address those emotional needs and how to design products which embody specific feelings.

  • Target age
    10-14
  • Duration
    2h
  • Lessons
    2
Lesson 1

Recognising Semantics

Students will learn to analyse products to identify their embedded meanings and discuss their origins.

Lesson 2

Designing with Semantics

Students will discover some of the variables they can control to influence the feelings created by a product and how to use semantics to generate creative ideas.

Included materials
  • Presentation
  • Lesson Plan
  • Playing Cards

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The School of Arts & Creative Industries at Edinburgh Napier University develops creative innovators and award-winners in diverse fields such as design, creative advertising, journalism, music and film. Our staff are active in the industry, maintaining close links with leading organisations and employers, allowing our students to go beyond innovation and shape the world around them.

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