From exigential hypothesis to cognitive ergonomics: a discipline in support of sensory and sustainable design

The aim of this paper is to illustrate how the designer can use and exploit results obtained by applying different methods and techniques of cognitive ergonomics. In particular, this study made use of the Eye-tracking tool and other qualitative projective techniques in order to assess the user perception based on different attributes in different contests (from packaging to jewelry, car seats and taps fitting). Specifically, one of the most investigated attribute has been the perception of benefits coming from environmental sustainability. Moreover, the presented case studies have also been focused on other communicative aspects of the products such as the perception of elegance, cost, convenience and quality. As a result, the present study does not set out guidelines for the design process of products which can implicitly communicate their usage function, communicative and their environmental performance, but aims to highlight and understand how the designer can use the techniques, tools and methods of cognitive ergonomics and the results obtained through them. In order to consider the consumer point of view, and not only the designer one, the message of the product perceived by the consumer became a validation of the design and a suggestion for the choices to be made during the design process in relation to both usage and communicative functions.