Title: Cultural diversity as a strategic source for designing pleasurable and competitive products, within the globalisation context

Authors: Maristela Mitsuko Ono

Addresses: Federal University of Technology – Parana, Av. Sete de Setembro, 3165, Bairro Reboucas, Curitiba–PR, CEP 82230-901, Brazil

Abstract: Based on a case study carried out in the household appliances industrial field, this paper discusses the practice of industrial design within the context of the globalisation process, facing the question of cultural diversity. This study emphasises the cultural diversity as a strategic source for designing pleasurable and competitive products; and the importance of designing products for society within a perspective of social and cultural responsibility and commitment, so as to enable it to promote emancipation, sustainable development, improvement of quality of life as well as the preservation of legacies and cultural identities of individuals and social groups.

Keywords: industrial design; culture; globalisation; pleasurable products; competitive products; cultural diversity; household appliances; social responsbility; cultural responsibility; sustainable development; quality of life; product development.

DOI: 10.1504/JDR.2006.010793

Journal of Design Research, 2006 Vol.5 No.1, pp.3 - 15

Published online: 04 Sep 2006 *

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