Wearable Smart Accessory Design Based on Emotional Design Theory

Abstract

This paper looks at how emotional wearable smart accessories can meet the emotional needs of digital natives who struggle with phone addiction and attention problems (Sas, 2023). Current focus tools mainly use timers and punishments. They treat focus as simply “on” or “off,” and they ignore users’ emotions. To address this problem, we used the Kano model (Yang and Liu, 2026) and the Three‑Level Theory of Emotional Design (Zhou et al., 2025) to understand what users really need. We designed an animal‑shaped wearable pendant. Instead of being just a control tool, it becomes a companion that helps users focus. The Kano model helped us identify what users want most from emotional products. Based on the Three‑Level Theory, we created a phone strap with three features: a pressing ritual, emotional feedback through expressions, and a sense of growing companionship (Zhou et al., 2025). The animal design creates emotional connection. The pressing action helps users focus and reduces anxiety from heavy workloads (Chianella, 2020). This research shows how emotional wearables can turn focus tools into emotional partners. It offers new ideas for designing wearable devices and suggests future use in children’s attention training and special education.

Keywords: Wearable Design, Emotional Design, Smartphone Dependency, Smart Jewelry

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1007631