Application Of Projective Techniques In User Need Research

It is a main characteristic of today's product design to create excellent user experience by redefining the concept with analyzing user's need and making accurate understanding of deep information. Meanwhile, with the help of development of psychology and related theories of maturity,people have realized the importance of research about potential needs and motivation. As a recognized clinical method, the projective techniques have made great contributions to personality measurement, prevention and treatment of mental illness in psychoanalysis with development in practice. This article reviewed the history of projective theory and intended to apply projective techniques into the field of user need research and provide new method for product design by combining consumer research methodology.The article included the analysis of user research theory based on psychology, as well as the background and features of projective techniques in details, demonstrated the rationality and feasibility of the projective techniques that apply in user need analysis. As a theoretical innovation attempt, the article established the steps and frameworks for user need research which based on the methodology of projective techniques and a case of home entertainment product design with the discussion about the reliability/validity and features at last.