Design for appropriation of physical products: Exploring drivers of end-user appropriation within the mechanical keyboard hobbyist community

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School of Arts, Design and Architecture | Bachelor's thesis
Ask about the availability of the thesis by sending email to the Aalto University Learning Centre oppimiskeskus@aalto.fi

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Date

2025-12-15

Department

Major/Subject

Design

Mcode

Degree programme

Bachelor's Programme in Design
Muotoilun kandidaattiohjelma

Language

en

Pages

40

Series

Abstract

In recent years, the design products and services has been recognized as a critical factor in enabling end-user engagement and customization. However, the application of Design for Appropriation (DfA) principles, which were originally developed for digital systems, to tangible objects remains underexplored. This thesis investigates how design can facilitate appropriation behaviors for physical products, using the Mechanical Keyboard Hobbyist Community (MKC) as a community of interest. The thesis aims to examine how the MKC engages in design-in-use practices and how the product design of mechanical keyboards enables such user-driven innovation. A qualitative research approach was employed, combining a literature review on DfA, design participation, and Design-in-use, with six semi-structured interviews with active MKC members. The interviews explored members’ motivations, forms of engagement, and perceptions of the keyboard’s design. Thematic analysis was used to identify recurring patterns in how appropriation occurs within the community and how design features either support or hinder it. Findings reveal that the MKC exhibits a wide range of Active Design Engagement, from basic modification to advanced innovation, driven by desires for personalization, tactile satisfaction, and social connection. The mechanical keyboard’s modular, legible, and reconfigurable design inherently supports appropriation, aligning strongly with the adapted Physical Design for Appropriation (PDfA) principles such as pluggability, visibility, and support for user recombination. The thesis also highlights the role of decentralized platforms such as forums, GitHub repositories, and social media in sustaining knowledge sharing and co-creation within the community. However, the research identifies barriers to deeper engagement, including technical complexity, cost, and the need for communal support to navigate the hobby. Additionally, while product design enables appropriation, the community itself plays a vital role in interpreting and communicating the value of customization, suggesting that design intention is often socially constructed rather than embedded in the object alone.

Description

Supervisor

Chun, Namkyu

Thesis advisor

Rumo, Delphine

Keywords

design for appropriation, design-in-use, mechanical keyboards, design participation, user innovation

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https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:aalto-202512239517

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[kand] Taiteiden ja suunnittelun korkeakoulu / ARTS