On the Zen Connotation in Product Design

Abstract

The demands of modern consumers have evolved from the basic physical and psychological to spiritual pursuits and aesthetics experiencing needs. On the other hand, the style of product design has escaped from simply changing the outer form, and is more focused on the intangible value starting from the soul. Design style is not limited to metaphysical expressions but oriented towards metaphysical interactive experience. Modern people are rich in economic life but lack of soul. Obtaining spiritual sustenance through religion has become the goal that modern people pursue, and since simplicity in the Zen image is also close to the basic concept of Zen, the application of Zen to art design is accepted by the majority of ethnic groups and has turned a design style.

Therefore, this research will focus on the Zen design of products, which can give designers a reference for the transmission of Zen imagery, shaping elements and processing techniques in designing Zen products. The core value of Zen is explored through literature analysis in the early stage, followed by the questionnaire survey based on the semantic difference to evaluate the feelings of people with religious beliefs in design backgrounds, people with religious beliefs in non-design backgrounds, and the general public. Finally, the results obtained are assessed in a multidimensional manner so as to investigate the differences. This research hopes to give designers interested in Zen a clearer picture of the Zen image.