ABSTRACT
The growing awareness with regards to the role emotion plays on the choice and use of products has been leading both companies and universities to a deepening in the study of the relationship between users and products. Knowing the changes in user’s perception that happen during different moments of this relationship may contribute with relevant information, so that designers while creating new products, seek to guarantee emotional consistency throughout product’s life time. In this context, this research aimed at identifying the changes that happen in the relationship between users and a washing machine in four different moments of the interaction, over a period of six months. The results of the evaluation were plotted in a three dimensional graphic showing the evolution of the perception users had about the product. Users were also asked to highlight the area of the product that influenced their evaluations for each adjective. This activity was done twice. A comparison between these two assessments rendered a clear visual map of the items that most influenced the perception of the participants. The numeric data gathered with the questionnaires was also evaluated using a number of statistic tests. Significant variations on users' perceptions about the product, throughout the different levels of interaction evaluated were identified. This fact points to the utility of such method during the appraisal of the human-product relationships. It also reinforces the need for instruments able to measure these relations during time, in order to improve the attachment between users and products for a longer period.
