Gender Stereotypes In Product Design

CHAPTER FOUR

I.P.Ihalagama

112222H

Level lV

Product Design

Department of Integrated Design

University of Moratuwa

Research topic

The impact of the gender attribute in personalize products and their forms.

Introduction

In this research I intend to study the impact of gender qualities to product design by using the design elements. When using the products, Consumers give different feedbacks on the designs. In many times they give their attention for personalized product than other products such as “perfumes, shoes, jewellery, bags, and it has been a long tradition in early days of designing to this day. The research concentrates on the approach of basing the design process on general view and perception of gender stereotypes.

Then the product became more user friendly and more visually effective subsequently in the Renaissance period and the days of Renaissance improved the design aesthetics and functionality to a new level. Within post war epoch bear the principals of design theories like “form follow the function” through the academies like “Bauhaus”.

When developing a new product, designers mention about end users of the product. But in most of the times “the designers based their design decisions on what they would like to use themselves (Akrich, 1995; Gansmo, Nordli, &Sørensen, 2003; Oudshoorn, Rommes, & Stienstra,” (I methodology). When designing a product the designer’s gender also impotent to apprehension. Thus before design a product it’s significant to study the gender perception on product design. (2004).

OBJECTIVES

Primary erudite objective is to study on the forms that emphasize the gender attribute and apply that knowledge to enhance the quality performance of the personalized products which will result in improving product design quality.

It will help to design personalized products to dominant consumer in specific gender. The research approaches are material research, anthropometrical study and it will also help to complete the research effectively.

1. What is the Historical background and evolution of product design?

2. How the product design forms differentiated through different art movements and time zones.

3. What are the methods of analysing a product

How does form, shape, line enhance the gender attribute?

1. How the opinion on feminity and masculinity is differs from each region?

2. What are the typical stereotypes of feminism and masculinity that are recognized internationally?

3. How can a form be feminine and masculine according to stereotypes?

4. What are the design principles that contradicts the hunter nurturer fixation theory?

5. How can you use form to emphasize feminine and masculine features and functions? Hypothesis

Most studies of gender with respect to products have viewed it as an explanatory variable for consumer behaviour. When examine the gender in design, feminine also have masculine qualities and masculine also have feminine qualities. Because of that an opportunity when designing products concern end user satisfaction.

Methods and methodology

Case- study