From a consumer point of viewFindings from explorative user research on the core values and experimental properties of glass in a consumer context.

prism twelve

Introduction

This booklet gives different reasons why to love glass, as a material in product and packaging design, from a consumer point of view. So the main question answered is: Why to love glass? The answers are the outcome of a vivid explorative research with consumers.

First the participating users are introduced. Then eleven different reasons to love glass are presented. Eventually the booklet concludes with an overall statement combining the eleven different reasons.

We hope it will inspire the reader to design, develop or invent new glass products.

The Prismtwelve design team

Delft, March 2012

The participating users:

Ineke Verhagen50 years oldHealthcare manager

“Breaking glass so every now and than brings luck...”

Bram van Beusekom21 years oldActing student

“Glass does not change shape in your hand, you can hold it tight...”

Anne Hilgers24 years oldArchitect Student

“Glass displays quality, real quality, you just feel that...”

Salko Hofman26 years oldEconomist

“A table set up without any glass is just not what I imagine with having a good meal...”

Jan van de Graaf52 years oldBuying agent

“Glass came from nature and therefore does not hurt nature..”

Nellie Binos68 years oldRetired

“Glass is timeless, it has always been there and it will always be there...”

Because it is...

Why

to lo

ve g

lass

?

FRAGILE

Of course consumers are well aware of the brittleness of glass and the danger of breaking some. However, it seems they have a positive attitude towards the fragility of glass. Memories of glass and using glass are mainly positive. People are completely used to glass and its disadvantages, from childhood on they learned how they should handle glass properly. Its fragility even evokes a tender and loving interaction with glass. It forces the user to be aware of its actions, it makes glass object more precious as they handle it with care. And yeah, once something breaks it will bring luck..

“Breaking glass every now and then brings

luck...”

Because it is...

Ineke50 years old

Because it is...

ROBUSTWhy

to lo

ve g

lass

?

ROBUSTUsing glass gives users a feeling of quality and robustness. Glass is perceived as a strong and long lasting material, even though it is fragile. This is because of the heaviness and stiffness of glass. When you are holding glass you are really holding something..

“ Glass does not change shape in

your hand, you can grasp it firmly...”

Bram21 years old

Because it is...

PUREWhy

to lo

ve g

lass

?

Cleanness, freshness and taste-neutral are three key words mentioned by most consumers when thinking of glass. They find glass easy to clean because of its smooth surface. The transparency of glass helps users to identify wether glass is clean. Freshness relates to food and drinks, consumers mention that it does not stick to much onto glass. Other really important properties of glass is that it does not leave taste to any food or drink. The taste of glass is as good as its content...

“ Glass has a fresh and clean

character”PUREJan51 years old

why to love glass..

because it creates precious

MOMENTS

Users connect glass with special precious moments. Like having Christmas dinner with lots of glassware or opening a bottle of wine in the park during summer. Using glass just adds something extra to every occasion..

“ I truly enjoy a table set up for dinner with as

much glassware as possible...”

Nellie68 years old

Although the strong and robust character of glass, consumers see it as a very vivid material. It comes in many different colours. On top of that the colour is never the same, depending on how light shines through glass it will display surprising effects. In the case of glass containers glass can also have a fascinating effect on it contents. So it seems that glass keeps consumers fascinated in a lot of different situations because of its colours, light effects, sparkles and changeable character. Glass keeps surprising...

“ I always get fascinated about

the way the candles flicker looking at them

through the glass holder...”

Ineke50 years old

Why to love glass?Because of its...

SUBTLE ATTRAC-TION

“ Glass has a strong appealing character

without being dominant...”

SUBTLE ATTRAC-TION So glass is a pure, vivid and classy

material. However users tend to classify glass as low key at the same time. Glass presents and adds its quality to a situation or to its content without being dominant or obtrusive. It is present in one’s everyday life but doesn’t overwhelm..

“ Glass has a strong appealing character

without being dominant...”

Ineke50 years old

Why to love glass?

Because it triggers

CURIOSITY

People have a curious nature. They like to know what is going on. This is applicable to food containers, machines, buildings or any other product. Glass fits this basic desire because of its transparency. For example: users check content of food containers on its freshness or volume unconsciously. Being able to know what you get is really important. Glass supports human curiosity, it displays what is going on on the other side...

“ I would love to have an espresso

machine made from glass to see what

goes on inside.”

Bram21 years old

Glass has a rich history. As long as we can remember glass is present in our lives. Users perceive glass as one of the basic materials existing for ages already. It is still present in their everyday life and users can’t imagine a future without glass. Glass is glass and there is nothing that can replace it.

“ Glass is timeless, it has always been

there and it will always be there...”

Nellie68 years old

why to love glass..

because it has a

HIGHQUALITY APPEAR-ANCE

In these days of plastics, glass started shining. Compared to plastic it has an image of high quality and sometimes even luxury. Users link glass with nice and genuine products and when they pick up a glass the robustness will give a feeling of quality. It is what it is and it will not just break as long as you don’t drop it.

“Glass displays quality, real quality, you just feel that...”

Anne24 years old

why to love glass..because it shows

CARE&

ATTENTION

Using glass enables users to show their care and attention to others. Setting up the table for a family dinner can cost quite some time and the care that has been put into it is partly represented by the glasses. Also using a glass for your beer, instead of just zipping it from a can, shows care and attention and creates a more special moment.

“A table set up without glass is just not what I imagine

with having a good meal...”

Salko26 years old

why to love glass..because it is

GOOD FOR THE WORLD

The sustainable character of glass is not in the users top 3 of positive characteristics. However they perceive it as much more sustainable than plastic or metal. They know it can be recycled and it gives the feeling that they do good for nature.

“ Glass came from nature and therefore

does not hurt nature..”

Jan51 years old

To combine the different reasons to love glass, it could be said that glass makes life delightful. It creates a way of life. Its fragility makes you handle the objects with more care, calmer, more aware and therefore with more joy. This helps to create precious moments and makes life delightful. The robustness gives it good grip, you know that what you are holding is of good quality and it will not just break. It’s pure, it’s glass and that’s just what it is, no more, no less. However, it is alive. It adapts to the situation, to light, to content, it is what it is but never the same. Glass is a product with character, so subtle attracting, but still firm and elegant at the same time. Its transparency triggers curiosity to discover what’s in it; for yourself, just because you cannot pass something from glass without looking through it, but also for others. Is the content fresh, healthy or good for me and my guests? It shows your care and attention. The evoked calmer approach with glass might take some more time, but shows your guests they are worth it. The qualitative appearance also shows this care, providing your guests with good quality products and doing good for the world at the same time. That’s glass, not just a material but one that makes life delightful.

Prismtwelve 2012

Faculty of Industrial DesignDesign Group Prism12 JMP

Landbergstraat 152628 CE Delft

website: prismtwelve.wordpress.commail: prismtwelve@gmail.com

phone: 015 278 50 27