Preferência do usuário quanto à madeira: estudo de aspectos subjetivos de escolha, utilizandoAnálise sensorial

Abstract

This paper discussesthe understandingof the preference of user for wood applied in a product. The aim is to describe the development of the research dealing with the importance of understanding the factors that lead users to appropriatefor a certain type of wood. Due to a considerable increase in the consumption of this raw resource, it is necessaryto use alternatives that have higher output and / or cause less environmental impact. It is therefore necessary to intensify the research on consumption and the reasons why people choose certain woods. The study used techniques of Sensory Analysis to understand the subjective aspects that underlie the tendency of preference of the people. The tests, visual and tactile, show that there are, even subtle, differences between samples of wood and tendencies of choice. This makes possible to find methods of appreciationof wood from planted forests, for example, from understanding and determining what are the technical sensory aspects shown as preferred by people. The crossing of the technical information of the wood samples evaluated with the hedonic data enables charting maps that show which preferably are the aspects to be highlighted in the product development with that kind of wood. Besides, presenting the survey data, the work discusses the relevant aspects of sensory analysis in assessments using the wood and the importance of product development focused on the user. It also addressed the issue of multidisciplinary involved in design work and the importance of understanding the issue of wood as a way of ensuring the maintenance of the resource sustainably. The study demonstrated successful ways of application of sensory perception survey and showed that the Sensory Analysis is an appropriate technique to study the relationship between subjective judgments of people and technical characterization of the products or materials.