Design for Wellbeing

2    Wellbeing, happiness and flourishing

Different views on a common goal

Ruth Stevens,¹ Ann Petermans, Anna Pohlmeyer, Rebecca Cain and Jan Vanrie

This chapter introduces design for wellbeing by looking at its evolution through its eudaimonic and hedonic roots. We explore the transition from defining wellbeing, to dimensioning its constituents, and then go on to review recent evolutions in the eudaimonic and hedonic views in domains such as philosophy, psychology, sociology, economy and design. The idea of human flourishing is then introduced, which leads us to the new movement towards positive design – inspired by positive psychology. We conclude the chapter with reflections on the work still to be done by design researchers in developing ...