The Role of Visual Metaphors in Hybrid Product Design Using AI

Our analysis introduces how visual metaphors are used as a design tool in hybrid product design and exploratory, speculative use of the Contrastive LanguageImage Pretraining (CLIP) model. As hybrid products bridge the gap between physical and digital, then the use of AI generated visuals as metaphors can entice a more seamless transition for the user. Using an experimental method, the research analyses the kinds of visual metaphors and their influence on user satisfaction, commitment, and the perceived ability of the product. The findings indicate CLIP-inspired metaphors are highly capable of establishing an emotional connection getting a score of 9.5 out of 10, while higher concept designs perform better with more literal, intuitively aligned metaphors. This paper has demonstrated the potential of this AI approach to optimize the design process, resulting in personalized and context-appropriate metaphors that enhance user interaction and satisfaction. The insights gathered from the research foster a better understanding of the potential of AI in hybrid product development and the users that can be developed from it.