Embarrassment of Product Choices 2: Towards a Society of Well-being

Product information is excessively commercial and technical. There is no single best product for all, and the price/quality ratio can be deceptive. Word of mouth is growing with opinions shared on the internet. This book calls for the reinvention of a new economy based on real requirements, not only for profit or “technology” but for qualities of use and the environment. A product’s use is its purpose. An innovation must always be an improvement to qualities of use. The emergence of new technologies, such as connected objects and the autonomous car, form a new trap for innovation, and progress has been limited to the perfection of technique. Marketing must no longer confuse the consumer (the customer) and the user. Complete with methodology for the reader to follow, this book describes how the ecology of use can become the main wealth of an economy based on quality of life and well-being.

Table of Contents:
Preface ix Introduction xi Chapter 1. Understanding the Economic World 1 1.1. A consumer society pushed to its limits 1 1.1.1. A faltering economic system 1 1.1.2. An economic shock for consumers? 3 1.1.3. Making what sells, to sell 3 1.1.4. The production society 4 1.1.5. The commodification of the world: finance 4 1.1.6. Globalization 6 1.1.7. GDP: no longer the right indicator 8 1.2. Economic and political approach 11 1.2.1. The act of consumption 11 1.2.2. The act of purchasing 13 1.2.3. The economic act 14 1.2.4. The political act 15 1.2.5. Greenwashing 15 1.2.6. Buying: a way to have fun 16 1.2.7. Economic theories 18 1.2.8. Modes of consumption 20 1.2.9. Supply and demand 21 1.2.10. Purchasing power 23 1.3. Desirable development 24 Chapter 2. Cultural Approach 29 2.1. Cultural facts 29 2.1.1. The culture of choice: choices as a cultural fact 29 2.1.2. Cultural choices 30 2.1.3. Cultural diversity 31 2.1.4. Objects as signals, ostentations 32 2.1.5. Groupthink, fashion and social evidence 34 2.1.6. Socio-culture 36 2.1.7. Trends and behaviors 37 2.2. The desire for products 37 2.3. The image society and the virtual society 41 2.3.1. The image society 41 2.3.2. The virtual society 42 2.4. Qualities of life 43 2.4.1. Well-being with products 43 2.4.2. Ways of life 50 2.4.3. Lifestyles 52 2.4.4. Standards of living 53 2.4.5. Over-consumption 54 Chapter 3. What Information Do We Need to Pick the Right Product? 57 3.1. Choice of products. 57 3.1.1. The problem with choice 57 3.1.2. The process of choice 59 3.1.3. The frustration of choice 62 3.2. What is usage? 65 3.2.1. The problem with usage 65 3.2.2. The field of use 66 3.3. The indispensable: usage and environmental factors 73 3.3.1. Usage qualities 73 3.3.2. Environmental qualities 75 3.4. Evaluating the usage requirements and performances for choice 80 3.4.1. The analysis of usage/the criteria of evaluation 80 3.4.2. How to evaluate usage qualities 82 3.4.3. The price and cost of usage 91 3.4.4. Habitual suitability 92 3.5. Proposals for product information 97 3.5.1. Conditions and information requirements on products 97 3.5.2. Proposal of product information systems: dust removal method study 99 3.5.3. Information in the instructions for use 105 3.5.4. Proposals for distributors and major buyers 106 3.5.5. Information systems for users 108 3.5.6. Help with product selection: product typologies 110 3.5.7. Case study: creation of an information system for toys 110 Conclusion 117 Appendices 123 Appendix 1. Information Sheet on Toys 125 Appendix 2. Information System for Products – CCI 129 Appendix 3. The Risks of Domestic Accidents Related to Products and Equipment 131 Appendix 4. User Impairment: Risks and Difficulties 151 Appendix 5. Information Sheet on Products 159 Appendix 6. Interior Space for Showering while Standing Up or Sitting Down 163 Appendix 7. Information Sheet on Products 165 Appendix 8. Study on Vacuum Cleaners 169 Appendix 9. Facades of Appliances (Case Study) 177 Appendix 10. Shower Heads: What Sprays and Handles to Choose? 181 References 189 Index 193

About the Author :
Michel Millot is the founder of Millot Design, France. He studied Industrial Design at the Ulm School of Design, Germany, and developed the product information system at the Georges Pompidou Center. At Camif, France, he tests, analyzes and compares products. At ENSAD, France, he is Professor of Industrial Design. He is the President of ISUC, France, and a Consultant in Design and Marketing at Eurodesign.