Longevity through Novelty: A Typology of Design Strategies for Strengthening Epistemic Value and Preventing Premature Replacement of Electronic Products

Hanchu Sun, Giulia Granato, Ruth Mugge

Many electronic products are replaced prematurely not because they fail functionally, but because consumers become satiated with features that once felt novel. In consumer research, this pattern is linked to a decline in epistemic value, defined as a product’s ability to provide novelty, stimulate curiosity, and introduce change of pace into routine use. This study investigates how design can strengthen the epistemic value of owned electronic products, thereby helping prevent premature replacement. Study 1 involved four design workshops (N = 24) that generated 298 design ideas, resulting in a typology of nine design strategies and 23 sub-strategies. The nine overarching strategies are hardware upgradability, expanded functionality via software, multi-purpose design, dynamic engagement, anthropomorphism, adaptability, novel static design, self-care, and timeless design. The first seven strategies actively aim to generate epistemic value, whereas self-care and timeless design primarily function to preserve the value. Study 2 refined the typology through semi-structured interviews with 11 industry professionals, providing practice-informed insights into the temporal implications of each strategy and the enabling conditions regarded as important in practice. Comparative analysis across the seven epistemic-value-generating strategies revealed three recurring principles: continuous evolvability, balanced user experience, and reinforcement of the product’s core value proposition.