Evidence mapping and conceptual framework of emotional design elements for children’s construction toys: An exploratory literature-based study

Abstract

This study aims to systematically identify and synthesize the emotional design elements of children’s construction toys and to develop a contextualized conceptual framework that addresses the theoretical gap caused by the lack of systematic element integration in this field. The research is based on a systematic review of English-language literature published between 2016 and 2025, following the PRISMA protocol for study selection. The analysis proceeds through three sequential stages: evidence mapping, concept integration, and design knowledge production. In the evidence mapping stage, a dual-coding scheme is employed to systematically classify the included studies according to evidence strength and source type, revealing the distribution characteristics and research gaps in the existing literature. In the concept integration stage, thematic analysis is conducted according to three principles, namely designability, emotional relevance, and structural clarity, to refine and synthesize the emotional design element system. In the design knowledge production stage, the theoretical framework is further translated into practical tools, including operational definitions and a coding manual. The study proposes an emotional design conceptual framework comprising four primary dimensions and ten secondary elements, covering four levels: Visceral Level, Behavioral Level, Reflective Level, and Safety & Trust. Through evidence mapping and visual analysis of 38 core studies, the findings reveal that systematic exploration of the Behavioral and Reflective Levels remains insufficient, with notable deficiencies in the integration and empirical validation of elements such as operational achievement, emotional attachment, and perceived safety. This study advances the field on three fronts. At the evidence level, it provides a diagnostic map of the knowledge landscape and offers directions for future research through a visualized evidence atlas. At the conceptual level, it constructs a contextualized and structured integrative framework of design elements, establishing safety and trust as an independent emotional dimension alongside the visceral, behavioral, and reflective levels for the first time. At the practical level, it develops a coding manual and application guidelines that can be directly employed in design evaluation, team communication, and tool development. The framework not only offers a new perspective for contextualizing emotional design theory within the domain of children’s toys but also provides theoretical support for achieving sustainable development goals such as responsible consumption (SDG 12).