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Categories and Design Properties of Inherited Long-Lasting Products

Author

Listed:
  • Lea Becker Frahm

    (Department of Architecture, Design and Media Technology, CREATE, Rendsburggade 14, Aalborg University, 9000 Aalborg, Denmark)

  • Linda Nhu Laursen

    (Department of Architecture, Design and Media Technology, CREATE, Rendsburggade 14, Aalborg University, 9000 Aalborg, Denmark)

  • Christian Tollestrup

    (Department of Architecture, Design and Media Technology, CREATE, Rendsburggade 14, Aalborg University, 9000 Aalborg, Denmark)

Abstract

As a counter-reaction to the increasing speed at which products are consumed, companies have embraced the idea of designing products that last longer. To understand characteristics of long-lasting products, this paper examines the product categories and design properties of products that are inherited, and thus have a prolonged product lifetime. Based on previous research, we propose a theoretical framework with product categories and design properties for inherited products. We then deploy this framework on an empirical dataset of 175 inherited products that are identified through participants’ self-assessments. These are then analyzed in respect to 18 product categories and three overall groups of design properties: emotional properties (memories and brand), functional properties (functions), and aesthetic properties (colors and materials). Our study shows that the most inherited product categories are kitchenware (24%), furniture (21%), home decoration (14%) and jewelry (12%); it also shows that the reasons for keeping inherited products differ across product categories. However, inherited products commonly display honest and/or gracefully aging material, colors that reflect the material choice, single functions, and functional independency—that is, they do not rely on other products to function.

Suggested Citation

  • Lea Becker Frahm & Linda Nhu Laursen & Christian Tollestrup, 2022. "Categories and Design Properties of Inherited Long-Lasting Products," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-16, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:7:p:3835-:d:778637
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    References listed on IDEAS

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