Reclaimed wood is material salvaged from old, abandoned buildings that offers sustainable living to communities. There have been previous studies on reclaimed wood, but a limited amount linking reclaimed wood to consumerism. In August 2021, an online survey was conducted to gauge consumers’ knowledge of the industry and attitudes on reclaimed wood practices. Consumers are U.S. citizens 18 years of age or older. Study results indicate that respondents have little knowledge regarding reclaimed wood. Of the 1,516 respondents, 44% seem knowledgeable of reclaimed wood. Most respondents are not aware that reclaimed wood is a separate industry. Respondents believe there should be better marketing practices. Respondents also believe reclaimed wood to be environmentally friendly, durable, and aesthetically pleasing. The reasons respondents would purchase reclaimed wood are sustainability, aesthetics, and to exercise a need. Respondents acknowledge the importance of the origin of wood products. Respondents also acknowledge the importance of the industry.

Purpose – This study aims to explore the relationships between aesthetics and micro- influencers’ Instagram feed along with its effects on follower engagement. Based on the assumption that there is a common practice for micro-influencers who are familiar with aesthetics. Although micro-influencer content has attracted increased interest on Instagram, relatively little is known about influencers’ aesthetic strategy. Method – The present study addresses this gap by examining how feed aesthetics are associated with micro-influencers aesthetic strategy and what elements contribute to feed aesthetics. The study leverages a dataset of Instagram micro-influencers compiled by scraping an online survey and online interview to test its hypotheses with a qualitative approach. Findings – It has been indicated that feed aesthetics were positively associated with color, more specifically color harmony as well as a boost in follow engagement. However, these factors are modified by influencers’ domains of interest when creating content. The findings contribute to the literature by illuminating how principles related to aesthetics in micro- influencers’ images contribute to their aesthetic strategy and follower’s engagement on Instagram. Implications – The result of this study contributes with significant data that an Instagram client would carry out to make a feed that reflects feed style and grabs the eye of different groups. The significance of executing a thoroughly considered technique to an Instagram feed to make a tastefully satisfying look is demonstrated. In addition to that, getting a deep understanding of influencers feelings and emotions about their feeds and feed aesthetics, introducing the idea of color harmony when it comes to planning feed aesthetics. By the end of this paper a further research has been suggested which relates to the relation of aesthetics in different group genders and ages, with a different platform for instance.

Det här projektet har utforskat frågeställningen - Hur kan en brand- varnare utformas för att bli mer estetiskt tilltalande för användaren? Den svenska Myndigheten för Samhällsskydd och Beredskap [MSB] har länge drivit en nollvision för Sverige med målsättningen att ingen människa ska omkomma i en brand (MSB, 2021a). En avgörande faktor för att målsättningen ska lyckas är att varje hem har fungerande brandvarnare. Med fungerande brandvarnare i alla hem skulle så många som 40% av dödsfallen kunna förhindras (Runefors, Johansson & van Hees, 2016). Studien genomfördes utifrån ett användar-centrerat arbetssätt där kvalitativa intervjuer med fem informanter samt krav från den europeiska standarden för utformning av brandvarnare har legat till grund för för arbetets utveckling. Intervjuerna visade att informanterna till stor del var negativt inställda till utformningen av existerande brandvarnare då de uppfattades som billiga puckar i vit plast. Det framkom att lågt pris, liten storlek och enkel montering utan borrning var de viktigaste egenskaperna för användarna. De uppgav även att de ogillade att byta batterier samt efterfrågade möjlighet till ökat visuellt samspel med övrig inredning. Naturmaterial och mjuka former var de mest efterfrågade egenskaperna för utformningen. Det kunskapsmässiga bidraget ligger i upptäckten av svårigheterna att samtala om Estetik med informanterna. Detta var en förtydligande insikt över skillnaderna mellan det akademiska och det allmänna språkbruket för att beskriva estetiska intryck. Resultatet av projektet blev en liten brandvarnare med en kropp i massivt trä, en stor knapp för testning och tystande av larm samt en batteritid på minst 10 år. / This project have explored the question - How can a smoke alarm be designed to be more aesthetically pleasing for the user? The Swedish Agency for Civil Protection and Emergency Planning [MSB] has long pursued a zero vision for Sweden with the goal that no one should die in a fire (MSB, 2021a). A crucial factor for the goal to succeed is that every home has a functioning smoke alarm. With effective smoke alarms in all homes, as many as 40% of deaths could be prevented (Runefors, Johansson & van Hees, 2016). The study was carried out on the basis of a user-centered approach where qualitative interviews with five informants and requirements from the European standard for the design of smoke alarms have formed the basis for the development of the project. Based on the interviews, it emerged that the informants were largely negative about the design of existing smoke alarms. These were perceived as cheap pucks in white plastic. It turned out that a low price, small size and an easy installation without the need for drilling were the most important features for the users. They also stated that they did not like to change batteries and requested the opportunity for increased visual unity with other furnishings. Natural materials and soft shapes were the most sought after properties for the design. The knowledge contribution lies in the discovery of the difficulties in discussing Aesthetics with the informants. This was a clarifying insight into the differences between academic and general language for describing aesthetic impressions. The result of the project was a small smoke alarm with a body in solid wood, a large button for testing and silencing of the alarm together with a battery life of atleast 10 years.