Design and narrative: enhancing wellbeing through our stories

Conference paper

Jordan, P.W., Bardill, A., Herd, K. and Grimaldi, S. 2020. Design and narrative: enhancing wellbeing through our stories. Christer, K., Craig, C. and Chamberlain, P. (ed.) 6th International Conference on Design4Health [cancelled]. Amsterdam, Netherlands 01 - 03 Jul 2020 Lab4Living, Sheffield Hallam University. pp. 39-46
TypeConference paper
TitleDesign and narrative: enhancing wellbeing through our stories
AuthorsJordan, P.W., Bardill, A., Herd, K. and Grimaldi, S.
Abstract

Psychological wellbeing is profoundly influenced by the extent to which our narratives about our lives match our values and aspirations. Products and services that we own or use can play a role in these narratives – the car that says 'I am a success', the toy that says 'I am a good parent' or the customer-care that lets me know that 'I am not important.' Forty-two case studies are analysed of products 39 or services that influenced people’s wellbeing through enabling, or failing to enable, a desired narrative. We identify six different ways in which a product or service can enable a narrative and explore the implications for user research and design.

Keywordsnarrative; wellbeing; design; archetypes
Sustainable Development Goals3 Good health and well-being
Middlesex University ThemeCreativity, Culture & Enterprise
Conference6th International Conference on Design4Health [cancelled]
Page range39-46
Proceedings TitleProceedings of the 6th International Conference on Design4Health
EditorsChrister, K., Craig, C. and Chamberlain, P.
ISBN9781838111700
PublisherLab4Living, Sheffield Hallam University
Publication dates
Print04 Sep 2020
Publication process dates
AcceptedJan 2020
Deposited27 Aug 2026
Output statusPublished
Publisher's version
File Access Level
Open
Copyright Statement

Publisher's version made available in the Middlesex University Research Repository with publisher permission.

Additional information

As a consequence of the 2020 Coronavirus pandemic, the physical conference (6th International Conference on Design4Health), scheduled to take place in Amsterdam 1-3 July 2020 was cancelled. However, following the peer review process, the full papers due to be presented at the conference were published in online proceedings.

Web address (URL) of conference proceedingshttps://research.shu.ac.uk/design4health/publications/2020-conference-proceedings
LanguageEnglish
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