The purpose of this study was to examine the current satisfaction levels with nurse uniforms at Taizhou General Hospital in China and to find areas for improvement in order to develop nurse uniforms with improved comfort, fit and convenience. To investigate satisfaction with nurse uniforms, a survey was conducted of 150 nurses. The general characteristics of the nurses, uniform conditions, feelings of satisfaction, fit, preferred designs, inconvenient aspects of the uniforms, and areas for improvement were analyzed. Eight materials of cotton/polyester blended fabrics were selected according to Chinese nurse uniform regulations, and the physical properties of the materials were tested along with the materials used in current nurse uniforms. Four new nurse uniforms with increased aesthetics, functionality, and comfort were developed based on the survey results. Materials with excellent absorption, moisture permeability, and ventilation were used as main fabrics. According to the preferred designs of nurses at Taizhou City General Hospital, China, 4 types of nurse uniforms designed, consisting of design 1 (shirt and pants), design 2 (shirt and pants), design 3 (dress), and design 4 (shirt and skirt). The new nurse uniforms offered better functionality with an improved fit at the armpits, waist, hips, and knees based on product measurements.

Marketers often attribute the premium charged on a luxury brand over a value brand to innovation in product form (Von Hippel 1986). One way of conveying this innovation is through the use of perceptual cues which use visual depiction of a product (Gregan-Paxton, Hoeffler, and Zhao 2005). Consequently, what we think of as high fashion or innovation in product form is essentially novelty in the perceptual cues of a product (Cox and Cox 2002) and it is known that moderate levels of novelty can increase complexity (or incongruity) of product design and is in general, favored by consumers (Cox and Cox 2002). However, despite the fact that novelty in form offered in high fashion or complex products is expected to bring value, we predict that novel designs are perceived as more favorable depending on their positioning as luxury (value) brands. In detail, we expect that value brands more than luxury brands benefit from novelty of form and that peripheral cues in product design informs a sense of brand authenticity which drives preferences. Past research showed that a product’s positioning in advertising moderates the effect of schema incongruence on product evaluation (Noseworthy and Trudel 2011). When products with a moderately incongruent design are positioned based on their functionality, they are evaluated more favorably. Conversely, when products are positioned based on experiential dimensions, this effect is reversed, and moderately incongruent designs are evaluated less favorably. We believe that these relationships can be explained using the perception of hedonic or utilitarian benefits offered by the product. In general, consumers are motivated by utilitarian concerns until they think that they have earned the right to indulge in hedonistic consumption (Kivetz and Simonson 2002). With congruent products, consumers may infer functionality from memory, and they are therefore liberated to indulge in hedonic pleasure. With incongruent products, however, consumers must work out the functionality of the product for themselves. Thus, we expect that brand positioning will influence the way novel designs are evaluated on functionality, such that novel designs are perceived as more functional in the value (vs. luxury) brand positioning (H1). Also, we predict that consumers of luxury brands will prefer prototypical designs to novel ones (H2). Recently, Stanton, Townsend, and Kang (2015) analyzed automobile market and showed that consumers prefer novel designs if their consideration set includes allpossible automobiles, but changed to prototypical designs, when the consideration set was entry-level automobiles. In addition, Hagtvedt and Patrick (2014) revealed that altering the form of a product has a more positive impact on product evolutions in a utilitarian context rather than a hedonic one. This is because luxury brands have a greater capacity to be extended into other product categories due to their hedonic potential, namely their ability to provide emotional benefits (Hagtvedt and Patrick 2009). Based on these findings, we postulate that brand positioning will moderate the influence of product design on functional evaluations and perceived comfort, such that only under the value (vs. luxury) brand positioning, individuals will prefer novelty over typicality. Lastly, given the consumers’ motivation of luxury brands for conspicuous consumption and desire for authenticity (Beverland and Farrelly 2010), we predict that consumers will avoid novel designs in a luxury brand. We believe this to be true because in order to convey the status which such consumers seek, the brand must be instantly and easily recognizable to others. In this case, a novel design can be a threat to this transmission of status, and may bring about less favorable evaluations of the brand. As a result, a novel design, even a moderately incongruent one, will be seen as a violation of the brand’s authenticity and the diminished authenticity will therefore explain the less favorable evaluations. Thus, we expect that for value (vs. luxury) brand positioning, brand authenticity will mediate the effect of product design on evaluations (H3). To test our hypotheses, a pilot study was conducted in advance to identify whether luxury positioning would influence the perceptions of functionality when evaluating the same novel design. Participants (N = 102; 63.7% female; Mage = 35.78) were recruited in an online panel and were randomly assigned to one of two conditions of brand positioning: a value brand positioning or a luxury brand positioning. The experiment was a between-subjects factorial design and from the pretest, Serafini brand was chosen as a luxury brand and New Balance brand was chosen as a value brand. Then, Participant saw an advertisement that featured the novel shoe design and indicated their perceived functional efficacy, the concept (value-luxury) of a presented product, and perceived status conferred by purchasing the product. As expected, participants saw Serafini as more of a luxury brand (M = 4.76) than New Balance (M = 3.92) and indicated that purchasing the same product by Serafini conferred more status to someone (M = 4.83) in comparison to purchasing the same product by New Balance (M = 4.22; t(100) = 2.18, p < .05). Importantly, participants viewed the novel design featured in the luxury brand advertisement of (Serafini) as less functional (M = 4.95) in comparison to the novel design featured in the value brand advertisement (New Balance; M = 5.50; t(100) = 2.19, p < .05) although the design of the two products were the same (H1 supported). Next, in Study 1, we intended to identify whether brand positioning would influence typical designs of a product in the same way that it would novel designs. Participants (N = 263; 59.7% female; Mage = 38.03) were recruited in an online panel and were randomly assigned to one of four conditions in a 2 (brand positioning: value vs. luxury) × 2 (product design: typical vs. novel) between-subjects factorial design. In this study, however, we used a fictitious watch brand (Dali) to manipulate the brand positioning. Manipulations were adopted from Hagtvedt and Patrick (2009). Like pilot test, pretestconfirmed that the manipulations worked as intended (Mvalue = 4.85; Mluxury = 5.67; t(39) = 2.19, p < .05) and participants rated Dali as having different abilities to confer status (α = .81; Mvalue = 4.43; Mluxury = 5.26; t(39) = 2.68, p < .05). After, each participant saw an advertisement that featured the new product and that corresponded to the randomized condition that they were assigned and responded to the questionnaires asking their perceived functional efficacy, overall attitudes toward the product, perceived comfort as well as the measures for the manipulation checks. As expected, result showed that in the absence of luxury brand positioning, the novel design was evaluated more favorably (M = 5.00) than the typical product design (M = 3.90; F(1, 259) = 18.74, p < .001). This effect was consistent with past studies that demonstrate the moderate incongruity effect (Noseworthy and Trudel 2011; Meyers-Levy and Tybout 1989; Mandler 1982). However, in the presence of the luxury brand positioning, this difference was not significant (Mnovel = 4.46 vs. Mtypical= 4.25; p = .41). Also, an analysis of functionality indicated that in the value brand condition, the novel design was perceived to be higher in functionality (M = 4.88) than the typical product design (M = 4.39; F(1, 259) = 4.25, p < .05). However, in the presence of the luxury brand positioning, this difference was not significant (Mnovel = 4.57 vs. Mtypical= 4.79; p = .35). Finally, analysis of comfort indicated that in the value brand condition, the novel design was perceived to have more comfort (M = 4.45) than the typical product design (M = 3.82; F(1, 259) = 6.97, p < .01). However, in the presence of the luxury brand positioning, this difference was not significant (Mnovel = 4.14 vs. Mtypical= 4.33; p = .44). Thus, the results supported H1 and H2. To replicate the observed effects and to identify the underlying mechanism, Study 2 was followed. Same recruitment method and experimental design in Study 1 was used with a fictitious camera brand OLEG. Pretest confirmed that the manipulations worked as intended. Experimental procedures were similar to Study 1. However, this time, brand authenticity was measured (Morhart et al. 2015) in addition to the measures used in Study 1. Again, result indicated that in the absence of luxury brand positioning, the novel design was evaluated more favorably (M = 4.85) than the typical product design (M = 3.92; F(1, 209) = 10.30, p < .005) and in the presence of luxury branding, this difference was not significant (Mnovel = 4.50 vs. Mtypical= 4.57; p = .80). Also, result showed that in the value brand condition, the novel design was perceived to be higher in functionality (M = 4.79) than the typical product design (M= 3.89; F (1, 209) = 11.75, p < .001) and in the presence of the luxury brand positioning, this difference was not significant (Mnovel = 4.44 vs. Mtypical= 4.51; p = .79). Regarding comfort, in the value brand condition, using the camera with the novel design was perceived to be more comfortable (M = 4.49) than the typical product design (M= 3.82; F(1, 209) = 6.34, p < .01). However, in the presence of the luxury brand positioning, this difference was not significant (Mnovel = 4.06 vs. Mtypical= 4.25; p = .46). Lastly, mediated moderation analysis (Hayes 2012; Model 8; bootstrapped with 10,000 draws) found that only when design presented was typical, was there mediation through authenticity (95% confidence interval [CI]: .07, .86), but not when presented with the novel design (95% CI: -.60, .24) and thus, provided support to H3.Overall, three studies showed that while product evaluations and functional inferences with novel designs are higher for value brands, they are not for luxury brands. Also, we provided perceived authenticity as an underlying mechanism. From our findings, we provide four theoretical contributions. First, by showing that only value, not luxury brands benefit from novel product design, we demonstrated that brand positioning is another moderator to the effect of schema incongruity that consumers prefer a moderately incongruent product design over a congruent design or an extremely incongruent design (Noseworthy and Trudel 2011; Meyers-Levy and Tybout 1989; Mandler 1982). Second, although the research in product design and innovation has shown that the novelty in perceptual cues may signal innovativeness to consumers and thus engender favorable product evaluations (Gregan-Paxton, Hoeffler, and Zhao 2005; Cox and Cox 2002), we found that such novelty in perceptual cues in product design may not work in certain circumstances – when the product is positioned as luxury. Third, this research contributes to the understanding of luxury branding by offering evidence that prototypical designs benefit luxury brands because they increase perceived authenticity. Fourth, we broaden the research on authenticity in the aspect that merely having a novel or fashion forward design may impair authenticity and cause unexpected results. Managerially, we provide guidelines in that although brands benefit from novel designs in general, the manager of a luxury brand should be cautious when changing the design of a luxury good, especially ones in which functionality and comfort are important attributes. In other words, a luxury brand manager should adopt fashion and design in a way that is beneficial to the consumer. Some luxury brands, such as Porsche, are well-respected for their innovation, while other luxury brands, such as Louis Vuitton create value through promotion of a particular lifestyle (Reddy and Terblanche 2005). For brands that are particularly sought for their functional benefits, like Porsche, the importance of the impact of novel designs on perceptions of authenticity is particularly important. In addition, managers must be aware that novelty is not always perceived the same way. Consumer inferences on functionality and comfort can be elicited for fashion forward designs for value brands, where the novelty of design is used as a strategic tool. Nevertheless, when it comes to the luxury products, this effect might not appear and impairs brand authenticity. To extend our research, potential future research may examine the effect of novel designs on inconspicuous luxury goods. When conspicuous consumption is decoupled from the luxury brand, it is doubtful that prototypical designs would still be favored among consumers of luxury brands. Also, future research could examine the effect of other kinds of innovation. In our research, we mainly examined the product form and design as a method of innovation. However, it is possible that other kinds of innovation method can be used (i.e., change in product concept) and thus, can be potential future research topics. Finally, we believe that how other kinds of positioning might influence the relationship that we revealed could be studied further. For example, there are instances where value brands try to create a luxury line. In such instances, the effect of authenticity may differ from what we observed.

본 연구는 고령자들이 웹을 통하여 보다 쉽게 제품을 구입할 수 있는 실버용품 쇼핑 웹 사이트 디자인에 대하여 연구하였다. 본 연구에서 다루게 될 항목은 제품 검색 단계에서의 메뉴디자인, 제품 고르기 단계에서의 이미지 배열 방식과 사용설명서의 제공방식, 제품 구매단계에서의 결제방식이다. 먼저 현황 조사를 통하여 국내에 개설되어 있는 실버용품 쇼핑 웹 사이트의 각 항목에 대한 디자인 유형을 파악한 후 실험 평가도구를 디자인하여 개발하였다. 개발된 평가도구를 61명의 고령자를 대상으로 혈압계를 찾아 구입하는 과제를 부과하여 사용하게 한 뒤 설문조사와 심층면접을 통하여 사용하기 편리한 디자인에 관한 선호도 조사를 실시하였다. 선호도 조사 결과를 바탕으로 고령자가 실버용품 쇼핑 웹 사이트를 통해 제품을 구입할 때, 고령자의 관점에서 가장 사용하기 편하면서 보기 편한 디자인을 연구하여 제시하였다.

최근 지역 환경의 문화적 중요성이 증대함에 따라 지역 주민의 도시디자인에 대한 관심이 늘어나고 있다. 이러한 도시디자인을 통하여 지역 주민들의 자긍심을 고취시키고 대내외적으로 그 지역의 도시이미지를 재정립할 수 있다. 이에, 본 연구에서는 특정 도시(포항시)의 현황 및 환경적 특성 그리고 시민의 디자인 이미지 선호도를 분석하고, 이를 바탕으로 도시이미지 정체성을 구현할 수 있는 대상으로서 '가로'를 구성하는 공공시설물의 표준디자인 제안을 기본적인 목적으로 하였다. 이를 위하여 해당 도시의 24개 지역에 대한 경관이미지 및 공공시설물 설치 현황을 분석하였다. 또한 해당 도시의 일관된 이념과 사상, 이미지를 구축할 수 있는 공공시설물의 디자인 방향을 도출하기 위하여 시민들의 공공시설물에 대한 감성적 디자인 선호이미지를 조사, 분석하였다. 이러한 분석 내용을 바탕으로 총 31종의 공공시설물에 대한 디자인 가이드라인을 설정하였으며 표준디자인을 제안하였다. 이러한 결과를 통하여 매력 있는 도시이미지를 표출할 수 있는 커뮤니케이션 매체의 제공이 가능하고, 향후 포괄적인 도시 경관계획에 반영할 수 있는 자료의 제공이 가능할 것으로 기대한다.

소비자 선호의 만족은 제품의 성공의 중요한 열쇠이다. 그렇기 때문에 디자인 관리자들은 소비자선호에 대해 면밀한 검토를 통해 수익성 있는 제품 디자인을 개발하려고 노력한다. 이러한 선호 디자인제품과 디자인 요소간의 영향에 관련한 연구들이 꾸준히 연구되어 왔으나 기존 연구들을 살펴보면 대다수의 연구에서는 개별제품에 대한 선호되는 디자인요소만을 다루고 있어 선호되는 디자인에 있어서 제품군별 연관성 및 차별성을 파악하지 못하고 있다는 한계점이 있었다. 따라서 본 연구는 여러 제품군들 간의 디자인요소와 소비자 선호와의 관계를 살펴 공통적인 선호 디자인요소와 개별 제품군에서만 선호되는 차별적인 선호 디자인 요소를 찾아 이를 통해 디자이너나 디자인 관리자에게 성공적인 제품 개발의 가이드라인을 제공하는데 목적이 있다. 이를 위해 본 연구에서는 휴대용 전자기기 중 전자사전, 노트북, 휴대폰, MP3플레이어를 대상으로 4개 제품에 대한 공통의 선호 디자인요소와 각각 제품별 선호 디자인요소를 분석해보았다. 이를 위한 분석 방법으로, 4개의 개별 제품군에서 공통적으로 디자인요소가 선호에 미치는 영향은 계층적 회귀분석을 사용하여 분석하였고, 개별 제품군에서 디자인 요소가 제품 선호에 미치는 영향은 회귀분석을 사용하였다. 분석결과에서, 이 4가지 제품군의 공통 선호 디자인요소 분석에서는, 전체바디타입은 영향을 미치지 않고, 전체 바디 컬러가 흰색일 경우 재질은 금속재질일 경우 광택이 경우 선호했고, 개별 제품군별 선호디자인요소의 경우, 전자사전의 경우, 바디형태가 타원형일수록, 컬러가 블랙일 경우, 노트북의 경우 개별선호 디자인요소와 공통 선호 디자인요소가 같으며, 휴대폰의 경우 재질이 플라스틱일 경우, MP3 플레이어의 경우 바디형태가 직사각형이고, 재질이 플라스틱이 선호되는 것으로 나타났다. 본 연구는 다양한 제품군에 있어서 선호에 영향을 미칠 수 있는 디자인요소를 분석함으로써 제품군별 공통의 선호 디자인요소와 개별 제품별 선호 디자인요소를 파악하여 디자이너에게 제품 개발시 좀 더 명확하고 합리적인 디자인적 시사점을 제시할 수 있다는 측면에서 의의가 있다고 할 수 있다.

현재 휴대폰 산업은 국내 경제에 미치는 비중이 매우 크고, 앞으로도 상당 기간 한국 경제를 책임져야 하는 핵심 아이템으로 자리잡았다. 휴대폰의 시장이 거대해지면서 휴대폰을 사용하는 연령층이 넓어졌으며, 가입자 수가 늘어나 소비자 계층, 다양한 연령층 별 선호하는 기능이나 디자인 등이 더욱 다양해지고 있다. 이렇듯 휴대폰이 우리 일상생활에 미치는 영향력과 의미가 크게 변화함에 따라 휴대폰 수요자들이 휴대폰에 갖는 기대도 날로 커지고 있다. 이제 휴대폰의 음성통화라는 핵심기능은 소비자들에 있어 중요한 관심사항이 아니며, 단순한 음성통화 차원을 넘어 편리하고 보다 친근한 정보 입출력, 처리, 저장 등의 기능과 보다 세련되고 사용자 환경에 최적화된 디자인을 요구하고 있다. 그리고 현대 디자인은 일상적으로 소비하는 대상들의 전통적인 고급예술(high art)의 대상들과 비슷해져 감에 따라 인간의 정신적 감성적 가치를 형상화 하여 삶의 질을 향상시키는 새로운 가치를 창출하기 위한 디자인의 심미성은 중요한 제품 차별화 요소로서의 역할을 할 수 있으며, 소비자의 구매의사는 가장 선호하는 디자인이 좌우한다. 이렇듯 디자인 과정에서 가장 중요한 요소라고 할 수 있는 소비자 선호요인을 심미성분석을 통하여 규명함으로써, 소비자가 가장 선호하는 새로운 차원의 휴대폰 디자인의 전개가 절실히 요구되고 있다. 따라서 본 연구는 국가 간의 사용자 선호 휴대폰의 심미성요소 분석을 통해 공통적으로 선호와 상이한 심미성요소는 무엇이고, 중요하게 고려되는 심미성요소의 조형요소는 무엇인지를 알아내어 실제 휴대폰 디자인에 활용할 수 있는 휴대폰의 심미성 가이드라인을 제시하는 데 있다.

본 연구는 한국인들이 선호하는 열차용 시트 디자인에 대한 감성특성을 파악하고 이를 실제 디자인으로 구체화하고자 실시되었다. 시트 디자인의 감성평가를 위해 형용사들을 추출하였고, 이를 이용하여 한국인들이 기대하는 열차용 시트 디자인의 감성특성을 조사하였다. 여기서 추출된 감성특성을 실제 디자인으로 보다 쉽고 구체화시키기 위하여, 특징적인 시트 디자인들을 시각적인 그림으로 제시하고, 각각에 대한 감성특성 및 선호도 평가를 실시하였다. 이러한 결과들을 종합하여 선호되는 시트 디자인의 감성특성과 이러한 감성특성과 관련을 가지는 실제 디자인 특징에 대하여 분석하였다. 이를 토대로 새로운 시트들을 디자인하여 2차 디자인 평가를 실시하였고, 가장 선호되었던 디자인을 최종 디자인 대안으로 결정하였다.