Journal of Product Design, Quality Engineering & Technology

Abstract

In recent years, product and system design has moved beyond purely functional and technical considerations to include emotional and psychological aspects of users. Emotional and affective design focuses on understanding how users feel when they interact with products, services, or systems, and how these feelings influence satisfaction, usability, and long-term acceptance. Among various affective design approaches, Kansei Engineering has emerged as a structured and widely adopted methodology that translates user emotions and impressions into concrete design parameters. This review paper presents a comprehensive discussion on emotional and affective design, with special emphasis on Kansei Engineering principles, methods, tools, and applications. The paper reviews the evolution of affective design, key theoretical foundations, data collection and analysis techniques, and integration with modern technologies such as artificial intelligence and digital product development. Case examples from consumer products, automotive design, and human–computer interaction are also discussed. The challenges, limitations, and future research directions in emotional design are highlighted. The study aims to provide researchers and practitioners with a consolidated understanding of affective design methodologies and their role in creating emotionally resonant products.

Keywords: Emotional design, Affective design, Kansei Engineering, User experience, Product design, Human-centered design