The Importance of "Feel" in Product Design Feel, the Neglected Aesthetic "DO NOT TOUCH"

Abstract

The urge to touch and feel objects is universal and powerful but focused scientific attention to understanding and enhancing the aesthetic portion of the total "feel" of a product in order to increase user satisfaction has been noticeably under emphasized in consumer product design and thus in the products themselves. Although the tactile, proprioceptive and kinesthetic senses are vital to life, in their larger context of "feel", they have been largely ignored compared to the senses of vision, hearing, taste and even smell. And while courses, institutions, and venues are dedicated to these latter senses, comparable ones for the former are decidedly absent. Recent interest in the haptic senses may be a sign of change. This paper explores several aspects of "feel" and offers suggestions for research areas.