Yarn Design Characteristics which Influence Grafters to Consume Either Artisan Brand Yarns or Commercial Yarns

摘要

The purpose of this research was to determine what design characteristics influence crafters to consume raw materials. Due to the high number of crafters who utilize yarns, this research specifically investigated yarn design characteristics, which influence crafters to consume raw materials, either artisan brand yarns or commercial yarns. The yarn design characteristics corresponded to Donald Norman's (2004) three theoretical categories called levels of design. The levels of design were: visceral, behavioral, and reflective. An online survey was developed to determine what specific levels of design influenced crafters to consume either artisan brand yarns or commercial yarns for a favorite project. A total of 657 usea-ble responses were gathered: 24% of the respondents utilized artisan brand yarns and 66% used commercial yarns. The results suggested that among crafters it is common to choose artisan brand yarns based on characteristics which relate to the behavioral and the reflective level of design. The behavioral characteristics related to functional qualities of yarn such as, weight or feel. These characteristics were related to intangible, emotional aspects such as a desire to support local businesses or the ethical treatment of fiber animals. By demonstrating the importance of reflective yarn design characteristics, this research suggests that crafters who consume artisan yarns value intangible/emotional aspects of yarn.