Abstract

This article explores the nuances of aesthetic appreciation within the domain of design. Conventional perspectives often prioritize a formal or functional focus, but this text shifts the emphasis to somaesthetics, underscoring the embodied experience of the user of the product. The author proposes a comprehensive framework for understanding how individuals engage with design products by considering the nuances of their somatic experiences. This framework is initially proposed through this lens. Second, by examining this dual perspective, the article aims to provide insights into the dynamics of appreciating design products by highlighting the importance of the subject’s bodily engagement. Third, the author presents arguments and examples that demonstrate how our understanding of somatic encounters with design products is inextricably linked to the relational nature of these artifacts. Finally, the author aims to demonstrate the practical implications of these findings for both design theory and practice. In particular, the author emphasizes the transformative potential of these findings for enhancing our understanding and application of design principles.