A Study on Consumer Preferences for Incorporating Sustainable Development Goal Indicators in the Design Attributes of Music Imagery Products ^†

Abstract

We explored consumer preferences for incorporating sustainable development goal (SDG) indicators into music imagery product design. Qualitative and quantitative investigations were conducted to survey and analyze consumer preferences and values. Through questionnaire surveys and focus group discussions, consumers’ perceptions and values toward SDG indicators in music imagery products were investigated. The results showed that consumers’ demands and preferences for music imagery products aligned with the SDGs. Consumer preferences and values were important in the design of music imagery products. By comparing the influence of different product design attributes on consumer attractiveness and purchase intention, this demonstrates the practical value of incorporating SDG indicators into music imagery products. The results serve as valuable references for the design and marketing of music imagery products to promote the application and advancement of the SDGs.

1. Introduction

The global promotion of sustainable development goals (SDGs) has gained significant attention, as product design and brand imaging play a crucial role in the modern consumer market. Consumers now prioritize not only practicality and functionality but also emotional and value aspects. Businesses are increasingly recognizing the importance of integrating social responsibility and sustainability into product design. Therefore, by focusing on consumer preferences for incorporating SDG indicators into the design attributes of music imagery products, their impact on consumer attitudes and purchase decisions was investigated in this study. Currently, consumer awareness and attention toward SDGs are not universal. Therefore, this research was carried out to deepen the understanding and concerns of consumers about sustainability and social responsibility by examining the incorporation of SDG indicators in music imagery product design. Integrating music imagery into product design evokes emotions and resonance through visual symbols and design elements, providing consumers with a unique and experiential interaction with the product. We also investigated how these attributes influenced consumer purchase intentions and brand loyalty. Recommendations to businesses were proposed to enhance the quality and social value of product design, promoting sustainable development practices and awareness.

2. Literature Review

2.1. Music Imagery in Visual Design

Numerous studies have focused on transforming abstract and imaginative ideas into tangible products or art designs [1,2,3,4]. Music serves as the imagery in relevant visual communication design. By harnessing the emotions and atmosphere conveyed by music, visual symbols, and design elements, they can be translated into design. The analysis of product design aims to explore how to visually represent the abstract characteristics and emotional resonance of music. The application of music imagery to visual design not only offers fresh creativity but also enriches the audience’s understanding of the connection between music and visuals. By merging music and the visual arts, possibilities for heightened sensory experiences and creative exploration can be offered.

The interrelationship between music and visuals was investigated to creatively transform abstractive music into concrete visual symbols through design. A direct relationship between pitch and brightness was found in the context of music and color. Additionally, the content, tonality, and rhythmic sense of music influenced the visual form [5]. Music imagery was employed in visual communication design to visualize the perception of sound and music through color and shape and infuse new spiritual significance. With the elements of music, aesthetic forms, and the relationship between music and visual design, the shape and color of music imagery were analyzed, opting for a figurative approach to represent music, creating unique visual images, and exploring the abstract expressions of music [6]. The relationship between the shape elements of jazz drums and the imagery was analyzed to consider design elements. Through such imagery analysis, the correspondence between the structure of the imagery and the shape elements was analyzed, and the causal relationship between the imagery and overall evaluations of likability and beauty was examined [7].

Based on the previous result, we assumed that transforming music into visual symbols and design elements allowed products to uniquely evoke emotions and resonance in consumers. The use of music imagery not only infuses products with emotions and values but also provides consumers with an experiential interaction with the product. As music is an abstract expression, it evokes emotions and spiritual resonance in people. Through the rhythm, melody, and emotions of music, the design of the visual communication of products evokes consumers’ deep emotional memories and experiences. By researching products with music as imagery in relevant visual communication design, emotionally resonant and differentiated products can be created, and innovation in design enriches fostering deeper interactions and connections between consumers and products. The use of music imagery elevates products to a higher artistic realm, creating richer and more valuable consumer experiences.

2.2. Importance–Performance Analysis (IPA)

IPA is a practical and feasible method for measuring the importance and performance of products or service attributes [8]. Martilla and James introduced IPA to prioritize attributes’ importance and performance based on consumers’ perceived importance and companies’ performance related to quality attributes [9,10]. IPA is to assess consumers’ perceived importance and satisfaction with quality attributes and provide a basis for service quality and marketing strategy decisions in the service industry [11]. It plots consumer satisfaction with product attributes on the horizontal axis and the importance of these attributes on the vertical axis. The central coordinate of the strategy matrix is determined by the average of satisfaction and importance values, dividing the matrix into four quadrants. Attributes are then categorized into quadrants based on their assessment values. The research methodology is used to conduct consumer surveys, using importance as the vertical axis and performance as the horizontal axis, and using the average values of each attribute to separate them on the x and y axes. The importance and performance of each attribute are marked by their positions in corresponding quadrants. Subsequently, specific strategies for quality improvement are determined and proposed based on the meanings represented by the attributes’ locations in the quadrants (Figure 1).

3. Research Methodology

We investigated consumer preferences for music imagery products with design attributes, considering SDG indicators. The Expert Group Meeting (EGM) method was used with six individuals, including three product design experts, two product marketing specialists, and one scholar. They identified and analyzed the attractiveness factors of music imagery products and clarified the relevance of incorporating SDG indicators into the design attributes. Based on the result, a correlation evaluation model for practical attractiveness was established for companies to integrate SDG indicators into music imagery product design and marketing strategy establishment. An IPA questionnaire was created to explore the design attributes of music imagery products and understand the strengths and weaknesses of product quality. The attractiveness factors incorporating SDG indicators into the design attributes were determined to investigate distinctive features to be maintained and improved for future music imagery product design. The data related to music imagery product design was obtained for importance and satisfaction ratings of how to incorporate SDG indicators into the design attributes of music imagery products. The values were calculated and plotted on a quadrant chart.

4. Results and Discussion

4.1. EGM Interview

Based on the simplified chart of attractiveness factors from the EGM (Figure 2), the following observations were obtained.

Visual design elements such as appearance, color selection, patterns, and material texture directly influenced the product’s visual performance, and consumers held positive attitudes toward these design elements. The incorporation of music imagery in visual design, attractive colors, patterns, and textured materials attracted consumers and evoked their interest and resonance. Attractiveness factors related to sustainability, environmental protection, and economic integration indicated consumers’ concern for products that integrated SDG indicators to promote sustainable development. This reflected the company’s commitment to societal and environmental responsibility, resonating with consumers and enhancing the product’s attractiveness. Attractiveness factors related to values, value, and emotional memories highlighted consumers’ focus on the product’s value and emotional connections. The use of music imagery infused products with more emotions and value, giving them special significance in consumers’ minds.

The visual symbols and symbolic resonance of music imagery products significantly influenced consumer attitudes. By integrating SDG indicators and elements of sustainable development and emphasizing visual design, environmental protection, values, and brand storytelling, the visual appeal of products was enhanced to evoke emotional resonance with consumers. Additionally, by incorporating creative uniqueness and elements that aligned with individual preferences and styles, a stronger connection between the product and consumers was established, and its attractiveness and competitiveness were enhanced.

4.2. IPA Questionnaire Survey

In May 2023, the IPA questionnaire was conducted using Google Forms to collect responses from graduate students and professionals in the arts, design, and creative industries who were familiar with SDG concepts. A total of 110 valid questionnaires were collected.

Table 1. Reliability of IPA questionnaire.

Questionnaire Item	Importance	Satisfaction
1. Visual Design	0.964	0.963
2. Color Selection	0.964	0.963
3. Patterns and Images	0.964	0.963
4. Material and Texture	0.964	0.963
5. Incorporating SDGs	0.964	0.963
6. Social Justice and Equity	0.964	0.963
7. Environmental Protection	0.964	0.963
8. Economic Sustainability	0.964	0.962
9. Creativity and Uniqueness	0.964	0.962
10. Personal Preferences and Style Alignment	0.964	0.963
11. Quality and Durability	0.964	0.963
12. Price and Value	0.964	0.963
13. Emotional Expression and Resonance	0.964	0.962
14. Brand Story and Background	0.963	0.962
15. Emotional Engagement and Connection	0.964	0.962
16. Emotional Value and Memorable Moments	0.964	0.962

presents the reliability and level of consistency of the IPA questionnaire survey using Cronbach’s α. The importance and satisfaction of the IPA questionnaire showed Cronbach’s α values of greater than 0.70, indicating a high level of internal consistency and stability of the items. The overall Cronbach’s α for the entire questionnaire was 0.964. Within the range of 0.7 < α ≤ 0.9, a high level of reliability was verified. Therefore, all items were retained for further analysis.

4.3. Statistical Analysis

In

Table 2. Analysis results of IPA.

	Importance (M = 4.23)	Satisfaction (M = 3.29)	IPA Area
1. Visual Design	4.47	3.37	I.
2. Color Selection	4.35	3.28	II.
3. Patterns and Images	4.48	3.30	I.
4. Material and Texture	4.27	3.34	I.
5. Incorporating SDGs	4.00	3.36	IV.
6. Social Justice and Equity	3.53	2.92	III.
7. Environmental Protection	3.95	3.51	IV.
8. Economic Sustainability	3.94	3.43	IV.
9. Creativity and Uniqueness	4.54	3.24	II.
10. Personal Preferences and Style Alignment	4.26	3.23	II.
11. Quality and Durability	4.11	3.65	IV.
12. Price and Value	4.20	3.37	IV.
13. Emotional Expression and Resonance	4.45	3.29	I.
14. Brand Story and Background	4.30	3.17	II.
15. Emotional Engagement and Connection	4.51	3.10	II.
16. Emotional Value and Memorable Moments	4.36	3.05	II.

and Figure 3, the IPA results revealed three distinctive characteristics: visual design, patterns, and images. Material and texture were perceived as strengths and indicated consumers’ positive attitudes toward the visual appearance and texture of music imagery product designs. These visual symbols enhanced the product appeal and resonated with consumers. Incorporating environmental protection and economic sustainability was emphasized for consumers’ concern for products that integrate related indicators. These symbols conveyed social responsibility and encouraged consumers to choose sustainable products. Creativity and uniqueness, alignment with personal preferences and style, brand story and background, emotional engagement and connection, emotional value, and memorable moments were factors to be improved as consumers expected more creative and personalized elements in music imagery product designs for their preferences and emotions. These factors significantly influenced symbolic resonance, established deeper connections with consumers, and elicited emotional responses.

Consumer preferences for incorporating SDG indicators into the design attributes of music imagery products emphasized the importance of visual symbols and symbolic resonance. Music imagery product design needs to emphasize creativity and uniqueness while aligning with consumers’ personal preferences and style. Additionally, by integrating elements of environmental protection and economic sustainability, emotional connections and resonance are created. By adopting these design strategies, consumers’ emotional expression and value reminiscence can be satisfied, enhancing product appeal and competitiveness.

5. Conclusions

We explored consumer preferences for incorporating SDG indicators into the design attributes of music imagery products. Using the importance–performance analysis (IPA) method, we assessed the correlation between consumers’ perceived importance and satisfaction levels for different attributes. The results revealed diverse consumer preferences that provided crucial insights for businesses in product design. Consumers regarded visual design, patterns and images, and emotional expression and resonance as important for their satisfaction and emphasized the visual presentation and emotional connection of products. These attributes need to be optimized to increase consumer satisfaction and brand loyalty. Creativity and uniqueness, alignment with personal preferences, and style were perceived as more important than actual satisfaction, indicating they need to be enhanced. More creative and personalized designs are necessary to attract target consumers and enhance brand competitiveness. Consumers emphasized attributes related to SDG indicators, such as incorporating environmental protection and economic sustainability. The emphasis on these attributes reflected high expectations for businesses’ social responsibility and environmental awareness. Thus, companies must actively integrate SDG indicators into product design while maintaining a balanced approach to quality elements. Consumers thought that price and value, quality, and durability were more important than actual satisfaction, expected cost-effectiveness, and product durability. Therefore, high-quality, durable, and reasonably priced products must be developed to meet consumer demands. Based on the findings, we propose the following recommendations for designing music imagery products for consumer preferences.

• Strengthening visual design and emotional connection by optimizing appearance, patterns, and images and creating visually appealing effects that evoke emotional resonance, increasing product appeal and brand image
• Offering creative and personalized choices by enhancing creativity and uniqueness, providing diverse choices that align with personal preferences and style, and enhancing product personalization and differentiation
• Incorporating sustainable development goals by actively addressing SDG indicators and integrating sustainable development and social responsibility into product design to respond to consumers’ interest in environmental protection and social justice.
• Pursuing cost-effectiveness and product durability to aim for reasonably priced and durable product features by providing consumers with more valuable choices.