The emotional and sociocultural dimensions of the experience of the object

In recent decades, the concept of design has evolved from a purely functional or aesthetic practice to an interdisciplinary field integrating emotional, cognitive, and sociocultural dimensions. From this perspective, designed objects mediate interaction with the environment and construct meanings, evoke memories, and generate emotional bonds with their users. The objective of this study was to analyze the emotional and symbolic dimension of objects from a transdisciplinary perspective that integrates contributions from design, psychology, and the social sciences. To this end, a qualitative, exploratory, and interpretive methodology was adopted, which included the application of surveys to 20 participants between the ages of 18 and 74. They were asked to identify meaningful objects in their daily lives, as well as the emotions, memories, and sensory experiences associated with them. The results revealed that cell phones are the most relevant objects due to their strong emotional, symbolic, and functional significance. Other artifacts, such as computers, personal accessories, kitchen utensils, perfumes, and religious items, were linked to family memories, personal identity, and emotional ties. The most frequent emotions were tranquility, confidence, and joy, while the most prominent sensory aspects included texture and sound. These findings confirm that the relationship between objects and their users is bidirectional: artifacts influence cognition and affectivity, while at the same time being culturally re-signified based on the experiences of those who use them. In conclusion, design must be understood as an ethical and culturally situated practice that goes beyond solving technical functions to delve into the construction of meaningful experiences. This approach highlights the need to train designers capable of integrating empathy, critical observation, and cultural sensitivity in order to create objects that positively impact people's emotional and social lives.