A model of product appraisal process was developed by Desmet and his coworkers (Desmet, 2002, Desmet and Hekkert, 2002). This model is similar to Frijda’s action readiness account (Frijda, 1986) and chiefly based on appraisal theory of Ortony et al. (1988). According to this model, product appraisal depends on product attributes and the judgment of product design against a concern; and, the appraisal leads to emotion (Figure 5). For example, if a product is an object (stimulus) and attitude towards it (concern: positive) then appealing-ness of the product (appraisal) may lead to emotion (joy/pleasure/happiness).

Figure 5. Emotion generation through product appraisal process (Adapted from Desmet, 2002)