From Theory to Practice: Bridging the Gap in Future Kitchen Design for the Chinese Generation Z

This paper delves into the intricate nexus of kitchen design and the unique characteristics of Chinese Generation Z, a cohort immersed in digital technologies. Building upon prior research, the study scrutinizes the applicability of existing user research methods in shaping kitchen appliance innovations tailored to the Chinese Generation Z. Through triangulating the methods of questionnaire, in-depth interview, and behavioral observation, this research identified distinct lifestyle archetypes within this demographic. These included the 'social cooking group', 'extreme dual-sided lifestyle group', 'high-quality and efficient lifestyle group' and 'health-conscious and sustainable lifestyle group'. Each group exhibited varied preferences and behaviors, posing challenges and opportunities for appliance design. Leveraging the Kano analysis method, the study prioritized the determining factors for user satisfaction. This led to the creation of a new design research model, specifically for the Chinese Generation Z. This model served as a blueprint for future kitchen appliance innovations, aiming to bridge the gap between user expectations and product performance.