An Exploration of the Value of Timeless Design Styles for the Consumer Acceptance of Refurbished Products

Abstract

The prior use and age make refurbished products a less desirable option because they are perceived to be of lower quality, to have a reduced performance and a less attractive appearance. This research investigates one strategy on how to enhance the appearance of refurbished products and thereby encourage circular consumption via refurbishment. In 21 in-depth interviews, we explore whether embodying refurbished products in a timeless design can serve as a potential strategy to influence consumer acceptance of refurbished products. Specifically, we examined two design styles that were proposed as timeless: the neo-retro design style, which evokes nostalgia and benefits from associations with the past, and the simplistic design style, that is independent of cultural or time-related cues. Our findings provided qualitative support that the neo-retro and the simplistic design styles can improve consumers’ evaluations of refurbished products. Both design styles were considered to be timeless and elicited favorable associations in consumers. While refurbished products, following a neo-retro design style, evoked positive associations with old products, such as feelings of nostalgia and the good quality of the past, simplistic products benefited from associations with durability and associations with high-quality brands.

Design for Breathtaking Experiences: An Exploration of Design Strategies to Evoke Awe in Human–Product Interactions

“…As suggested by Lobos [38], to achieve timelessness, designers could strive for simplicity by refraining from aesthetic cues that may indicate time markers such as particular trends. Another way to achieve timelessness can be by using a neo-retro design style [39]. Marc Newson's Ford 021c was described by the participant as "clearly from the future and past at the same time" (Figure 5a).…”

Categories and Design Properties of Inherited Long-Lasting Products

“…Studies [20,21] argued that products with a "simplistic design" retain their functional property over time, and hence postpone product obsolescence. As the same may apply to simplistic functions as well, we argue that studying the functional complexity of inherited products can provide insight into how and which functional properties can extend the lifetime of a product.…”

“…Page [7] found that a timeless design is very important regarding people's likelihood of keeping products. Further, Wallner et al [20] and Lobos [21] underlined the importance of a simplistic design (only very few ornaments and decorations) in extending a product's lifetime, since no fast trends affect aesthetics. Jordan [16] (p. 69) defined a timeless design as an honest design without unnecessary details.…”

“…Wallner et al [20] argued that a simplistic aesthetic design could increase a product's lifetime. Considering the large number of single-function inherited products (94.3%), we argue that a simplistic design may not only apply to the aesthetic but also to the functional properties of a product.…”

The ergonomics of shareable things: from a synthesis of historical sharing activities to a set of criteria for physical sharing experiences

“…On the emotional side, durability relates to enhancing user-object interactions and considering attachment over time (Baxter 2017). For example, the neo-retro and simplistic design styles were considered timeless by users in the case of refurbished products (which face the same durability issues than shared goods) by Wallner, Magnier, and Mugge (2020). If the criterion is not met, the object will be quickly deteriorated endangering the financial stability and the safety of the sharing system.…”