AxisGroup International Inc.

Need and Want

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Needs and Products



Of course, the hierarchy of needs only partially describes
behaviour because priorities are juggled to maximise overall
satisfaction. A woman will skip lunch to buy a new dress for
a date, even though food is theoretically more important
than the social esteem purchased with a dress.

A single purchase frequently serves multiple purposes.
Buying gas for the new car, for example, permits grocery
shopping, going to the doctor, visiting friends, and driving
to watch the sun rise over the desert.

In an affluent society, physiological needs are not experienced
as pressing. Most people already possess all the requisites
of physiological or safety well-being. Most products function well.
In some cases (eg: children's merchandise) safety laws ensure
that poorlt made products never reach the market.


In such a world, physical performance alone no longer has
the impact of novelty. Sometimes without realising it,
users now seek products that answer higher social and
personal expectations.

This is where the ToolToy fits in; as a product that continues
to maintain physical performance while also addressing
higher emotional needs.

 

© 1993- 1995 Alexander Manu ©1995 Danish Design Centre "ToolToys - Tools with an Element of Play "
The author grants permission to make a digital or hard copy of part or all of this work for personal use provided that copies are not made or distributed for profit. The copyright notice and the title of the publication must appear on all printed copies.