From Bodily Functions to Bodily Fun: Approaching Pleasure as a Process when Designing with Sexual Experiences

This paper presents a conceptual exploration of designing sexual pleasure as an evolving whole-body experience. It addresses the historically narrow focus of research and technology on functional outcomes such as reproduction and orgasm. This limited perspective overlooks diverse desires, emotional connection, and sensory engagement, reinforcing restrictive norms that shape how individuals conceptualise and experience sexuality. To inform our design inquiry, we conducted a qualitative survey (N=143) to generate how individuals understand and experience sexual pleasure. Reflexive thematic analysis of the responses reveals the influence of culture and technology on sexuality, alongside several experiential dimensions: emotional and embodied connection, play and sensory immersion, and vulnerability. These insights, together with a theoretical foundation, guide a design exploration communicated through two provocations. These provocations serve as reflections of an alternative design orientation; one that challenges normative assumptions, views pleasure as an ongoing process, supports bodily exploration, and facilitates richer, more inclusive sexual experiences.