Emotional Design Through Measurement of Psychophysiological and Behavioral Parameters: Taking Steps Towards Neurodesign

There are a number of unknowns regarding conventional Emotional Design methodologies, especially in terms of the feedback from target users. Grey areas include questions such as: why are these methodologies so trusting of the user's response? Does the user really under- stand what is being asked of them? How do such methodologies consider the external factors that condition the emotional state of the individual, and therefore their answer? Is a subjective analysis of the emotion resulting from the cognitive interpretation of a stimulus sufficient? If it is indeed possible to measure the physiological reflex of an emotion, why is this parameter rarely considered as a viable option?

The main objective of this investigation is to respond to these questions, thus making the possibility of project development via emotional design more accessible. This can be achieved by leveraging the objectivity of the physiological register through the use of appropriate technology, and by fine-tuning the technical specifications and product design parameters which relate to the end-user's various needs, in terms of product functionality, usability and the user's emotional involvement.