On design and nostalgia : from the perspectives of culture, experience and design strategy

This dissertation takes a dynamic, forward-looking and experiential perspective to examine the multifaceted relationship between design and nostalgia for two purposes: 1) to serve as a ground-clearing work for analytical discussions about nostalgia in the design field, and 2) to study the viability of nostalgia-driven design as a strategy for brand revitalisation. The investigation is developed from three design- related angles: 1) nostalgia as a sociocultural phenomenon, 2) as a subjective experience, and 3) as the basis of a design strategy. As the existing definitions are unsatisfactory, the dissertation redefines nostalgia as the combination of emotional reactions engendered by the recall of nostalgic memory, based on the differentiation between remembered and immediate experience. To define the scope of nostalgia, it proposes a new typology in which different types of nostalgia and similar experiences are not seen as isolated entities, but form a spectrum with blurred boundaries. Moreover, it is argued that individuality and collectiveness are two essential attributes co-existing interdependently in nostalgic experience, rather than two opposing types of nostalgia as the previous literature suggests. The first research strand examines nostalgia (wave) as a design-related socio- cultural phenomenon. Drawn from multidisciplinary literature and cross-cultural observations, it establishes a dialectical relationship between (radical and rapid) changes, the increasing collective need for nostalgia, and creative nostalgia-driven design efforts. Through examining cross-cultural design cases, it critiques the out- dated view of considering nostalgia merely backward looking, which prevents active design explorations on this topic. It further suggests that the design field should re- understand nostalgia as a balancing or coping mechanism, and actively explore its positive potential in both social and market design contexts. The second research strand examines nostalgia as a subjective experience. It proposes a heuristic model explaining the underlying process of design-evoked nostalgic experience. This model emphasises the mediating role of nostalgic memory retrieval in nostalgic experience, and suggests that the design outcomes of nostalgia-driven design should be seen as mementos of nostalgic memory. Through deductive reasoning, cases, and a design experiment, it challenges the common equation of retro (appearance) design with nostalgic (experience) design, and elaborates the great potential of unexplored non-visual sensory modalities and both operational and social interactions in designing for nostalgic experience. Viewing nostalgia as the basis of a design strategy, the third research strand investigates how nostalgia-driven design has been deployed for ‘phoenix brand’ revitalisation, through a single case (i.e. Sarvis) and multiple-case studies (i.e. Forever, Jopo, TDK) within a constructivist paradigm. Multiple data sources are used, the most important of which are interviews with collectors, non-collectors and designers. Firstly, the single case study reveals the underlying process of nostalgic bond formation and change in perceived brand value, and also initially identifies four characteristics of a potential phoenix brand. Secondly, the multiple-case study not only facilitates the generalisation of the four characteristics, but more importantly it also identifies crafting an aura of authenticity to be the latent key to successful revitalisations. Accordingly, it develops a systematic analysis on how authenticity may be crafted synergistically in design, production and communication terms

Design for balance: wellness and health

Health and well-being factors significantly influence the flourishing of individuals and societies. in recent years, design researchers and practitioners have made an increasing and timely effort to respond to a variety of health and well-being challenges, from fostering a healthier digital lifestyle to tackling the adversities brought by the covid-19 pandemic. in this article, we reflect on the relationship between design, health and well-being, and how design can dedicatedly contribute to a better life through both identifying new possibilities and solving existing problems

Fabrication of a Low Adhesive Superhydrophobic Surface on Ti6Al4V Alloys Using TiO₂/Ni Composite Electrodeposition

A superhydrophobic surface with low adhesion and good wear resistance was fabricated on Ti6Al4V substrates via TiO2/Ni composite electrodeposition, and subsequently modified with a fluoroalkylsilane (FAS) film. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and optical contact angle measurements were used to characterize the surface morphologies, chemical compositions, and surface wettability. The superhydrophobicity of the as-prepared surface results from the fabrication of a hierarchical structure and the assembly of low-surface energy fluorinated components. The as-prepared surface had a water contact angle as high as 162.6° and a sliding angle close to 1.8°. Scratch and abrasion tests showed that the superhydrophobic coating provided a superior wear resistance and stable mechanical abrasion protection. In addition, the influence of processing conditions, such as working voltage, deposited time, pH value, and TiO2 concentration, was also investigated

Fabrication of Adhesive Resistance Surface with Low Wettability on Ti6Al4V Alloys by Electro-Brush Plating

Anti-adhesive Ni coatings with low wettability were successfully fabricated on Ti6Al4V substrates via an electro-brush plating method, and subsequently modified with a fluoroalkylsilane (FAS) film. The surface morphology, chemical compositions, and wettability of the as-prepared coatings were measured using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometry (FTIR), and contact angle measurements. The results showed that the surface of Ti6Al4V substrate was endowed with flower-like structures. Each flower-like cluster was constituted by a large number of Ni ions. After surface modification of FAS, the as-prepared Ti6Al4V surface had a water contact angle as high as 151.5°, a sliding angle close to 2.1°, and a solid surface energy as low as 0.97 mJ/m2. Potentiodynamic polarization tests showed that the Ni coating could provide a stable corrosion protection. In addition, the effects of processing conditions, such as working voltage, relative velocity, electrolyte concentration, and processing time, were investigated. The mechanism of the adhesive resistance was proposed, and the low wettability of Ti6Al4V surfaces was explained by Cassie–Baxter model. As a result, it was necessary to reduce the fraction of the solid–liquid interface in order to achieve anti-adhesive surface