George E. Torrens

Understanding the Product User: The Implementation of a User - Centred Design Approach by Student Industrial Designers When Designing for Elderly and Disabled People

This paper describes the introduction of a new module to an undergraduate degree programme for industrial designers in the Department of Design and Technology at Loughborough University. The implementation of the module and its subsequent outcomes will be related to the changing professional needs of graduating industrial designers. The aim of the module is to enable students to practise the use of data collection techniques that provide evidence for their design decision-making. It is also to emphasize the industrial designers role in the development of the desirability of a product within a given social group, The objectives of the module are to: raise the awareness of industrial design students to the demographic shift towards older consumers and the needs of disabled people; introduce them to more rigorous methods of user assessment; gain an empathy with users outside their personal experience; and provide students with an opportunity to apply their skills and knowledge in the field of user assessment. A research task enabled students to achieve the set objectives in collaboration with local community groups and individual elderly and disabled volunteers. The issues raised within this paper are also of relevance to practising industrial designers who wish to work in the field of Rehabilitation Technology/Assistive Technology (RT/AT) product development, or enhance their knowledge of user-centred design. The paper provides the international industrial design community with an introduction to the support infrastructure in the United Kingdom for the social groups involved in this work.

Hand performance assessment of ten people with Rheumatoid Arthritis when using a range of specified saucepans

Purpose: The aim of the pilot study was to provide information about the design and use of saucepan handles to enable clinicians and designers to specify and provide products that are more appropriate for use by people with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). The objectives were: to evaluate aspects of new handle design for saucepans in terms of their ease of use for people with RA; document hand grip strength and configuration (grip patterns); record relevant anthropometric data to aid the development of new designs and perform an assessment of lifting techniques used in conjunction with perceived optimum handle configuration. Method/Results: Observation and video footage show that subjects continued to use familiar, but damaging, ways of lifting the saucepan even after extensive joint protection training by occupational therapists. Grip strengths recorded using a sphygmomanometer were similar to those found by other studies. The anthropometric measurements taken from the sample group were found to be within available anthropometric surveys of able-bodied people. However, hand length within the sample group with RA was longer than the equivalent in surveys of able-bodied subjects. Conclusions: Subjects preferred the narrower handles with some surface texture to the larger and more rounded tapered handles. Large handled saucepans were found not to be viable due to the constraints of UK cooking hob sizes and existing British Standards relating to saucepan specification.

Integration of anthropometric data within a computer aided design model

Abstract High-performance clothing and body-worn products require good fit for the wearer. This is to ensure that they provide protection while maintaining comfort, mobility and good interaction with the surrounding environment. The incorporation of anthropometric data (measurements of proportions and sizes of the human body) into a new product design provides a more precise starting point for evidence-based design decision-making. It also ensures that these products are generated from information of the intended end-user. Computer aided design (CAD) and computer aided manufacture (CAM) can be used accurately to reproduce the detailed designs generated using anthropometry. This paper describes how manually collected anthropometric data can be integrated into a CAD model and then, through rapid prototyping techniques, used as a design or manufacturing quality assurance tool to make it possible to produce customized body-worn technologies that enhance the fit for the user, improving their overall task performance. This has highlighted the importance of ensuring that the anthropometric data collected are appropriate for the requirements of the new product developer, in this case for glove design and manufacture.

Design issues in military footwear and handwear

Abstract: This chapter outlines the substantive issues when designing handwear and footwear for military applications, in the context of the requirements of fit to UK military personnel, their tasks, and the environment or theatre within which they will operate. First, the nature and level of protection in different circumstances are outlined. Second, fit, physiological maintenance, task performance and other factors that influence design are considered. Finally, future trends in design and production are introduced. In each case, best practice from Human Factors and the application of available technologies are described to provide the optimum compromise within a final design solution.

Equipment Design in Inclusive Physical Activity and Disability Sport

This chapter consists of two parts: an introduction to issues in inclusive design in the context of disability sport; and, the process of inclusive design using a specific disability sport example. This chapter links to a short case study about inclusive design in the context of a national inclusive activity programme (the Inclusive Fitness Initiative).

Evaluation of an assistive technology product design using a paired comparisons method within a mixed methods approach: a case study evaluating preferences for four types of cutlery with 34 upper limb impaired participants

The purpose of the study was the assessment of preferences for four types of assistive technology (AT) domestic cutlery with 24 female and 10 male participants who had a range of upper limb impairments. A mixed-methods methodology, that included a paired comparisons analysis, was used to inform product development. Qualitative and quantitative data collected at the time provided triangulation of cohort preferences and insight into the reasoning of the participants. The results indicate that a high friction surface on AT cutlery handles is useful for all upper limb impaired users; however, the unconventional shapes of the Caring Cutlery better match the grip patterns generated by those with arthritis. Conventionally shaped handles are favoured by those who generate conventional grip patterns. Statistical analysis of the paired comparisons results indicated a clear preference for the Caring Cutlery by those with arthritis. The Etan Cutlery set was favoured by those using one hand that predominantly had hemiplegia following a stroke. The paired comparisons method was used as part of a mixed methodology that was considered to be cost effective. The authors concluded that the methodology was useful to help validate a new inclusive/universal product design when the desired attributes are not accurately known. Implications for Rehabilitation An insight into the preferences of a UK population who have upper limb impairment affecting the use of assistive technology (AT) cutlery Generic heuristics to optimize AT cutlery described A more effective methodology for AT product evaluation A more robust basis for AT product design and development decision-making

Getting a Grip

Cutlery design undergoes extensive evaluation of hand-object interaction, leading to improved products for people with hand use limitations.

Introducing User-Centred Factors into a Value Analysis Methodology Approach to the Development of a Health and Beauty Care Product

The case study reviews the design and development of an innovative depilatory body waxing system that fulfils an identified market need for a more hygienic method of body waxing. The paper focuses on the value engineering of the waxing systems heater unit and, more specifically, the injection-moulded main housing. Results from focus groups and a market survey questionnaire highlighted the need for quality to be shown through aesthetic detailing. The production detailing of the main housing of the depilatory body waxing system was identified as a critical factor in enhancing the products chances of commercial success. A conventional method of value engineering was modified to include a weighting for the aesthetic and semantic detailing of the component. A user-centred approach adopted to product development recognized the manufacturer as a stakeholder in the products success. The study shows how systematic research and development enabled the product to be produced without compromising market research f...

The order and priority of research and design method application within an assistive technology new product development process: A summative content analysis of 20 case studies

Abstract Summative content analysis was used to define methods and heuristics from each case study. The review process was in two parts: (1) A literature review to identify conventional research methods and (2) a summative content analysis of published case studies, based on the identified methods and heuristics to suggest an order and priority of where and when were used. Over 200 research and design methods and design heuristics were identified. From the review of the 20 case studies 42 were identified as being applied. The majority of methods and heuristics were applied in phase two, market choice. There appeared a disparity between the limited numbers of methods frequently used, under 10 within the 20 case studies, when hundreds were available. Implications for Rehabilitation The communication highlights a number of issues that have implication for those involved in assistive technology new product development: •The study defined over 200 well-established research and design methods and design heuristics that are available for use by those who specify and design assistive technology products, which provide a comprehensive reference list for practitioners in the field; •The review within the study suggests only a limited number of research and design methods are regularly used by industrial design focused assistive technology new product developers; and, •Debate is required within the practitioners working in this field to reflect on how a wider range of potentially more effective methods and heuristics may be incorporated into daily working practice.