Authentic time and its effect on perception of pleasure caused by function of the product

Pleasure is an emotion resulting from a positive emotional experience. Durability of the user's pleasure and enjoyable functional experience throughout the life cycle of product use is important for designers; because it creates a beyond matter link between user and product. Time has a central role in this process, which has always been of interest to researchers. In this research, by adopting the definition of authentic time and temporality from two famous 20th century philosophers, Bergson and Heidegger, we investigate the effect of time on the experience and perception of pleasure caused by the product’s function from the user’s point of view. Bergson and Heidegger linked their conceptions of time with psychology. Bergson examined it in the field of remembrance and Heidegger considered temporality to have meaning in accordance with the concern of Dasein.

The purpose of many previous researches has been to continue the feeling of pleasure and find solutions for it and this continuity is linked to the concept of time. In this study, the experience of pleasure during product’s function will be investigated in terms of authentic time. In fact, we are looking for an answer to the question of whether the pleasure caused by the functional experience of the product at different times can carry a different meaning for the user or not.

The research was carried out using a descriptive method and qualitative approach and in the three areas of time, need and experience of pleasure, the literature was conducted by the method of documentary studies. Then, three examples of successful designed products (Wassily-chair, Volkswagen Beetle and Sony Walkman) were studied from the perspective of alignment with time beyond its linear definition. These three products were chosen because of their durability over time and becoming nostalgic products for most users in different cultures. What is important in the reviewed products is the way users interpret the product at different times, which can represent the specific mood of the user; from the declaration of rebellion against the framework of time to the display of social trends.

The results indicate that if the product is only designed to respond to the needs of the bottom of Maslow's pyramid and lacks a meaningful story, after the end of the life cycle, the enjoyment of the function is reduced and it reaches the end of the cycle (recycling or throwing away) but, if the designer prioritizes the pleasure of experience over the pleasure of having in the design of the product, the life cycle will change from linear to circular and the pleasure of having new thoughts will become the pleasure of remembering (nostalgia).

If the product design is supported by appropriate design thinking and this idea reflected in the essence of design, it is close to the original essence of the user (and in the sense of philosophy, Dasein or thinking being) and the experience of authentic time provides its audience, independent of geometric and physical time, to move in the direction of giving meaning to their lives.