Taxonomy of Cuteness

Abstract

Cuteness relates to many of the product–service development topics mentioned in other chapters. We proposed a simplified definition of cuteness: a characteristic of a product, person, thing, or context that makes it appealing, charming, funny, desirable, often endearing, memorable, and/or (usually) nonthreatening. As one can note from the other chapters, cuteness as a concept is nuanced and complex. From this definition, and looking over published analyses and the images that we have assembled during the past decade, we, the authors, present a taxonomy below to which researchers, designers, software and hardware developers, business managers, and managers may refer. This compilation may be helpful in uncovering new issues or resolving challenges on others.