Jeremy Myerson

Space for thought: designing for knowledge workers

Purpose – Generic use of the term “knowledge worker” has resulted in a generic approach to designing office environments for this group. The purpose of this paper is to probe the mobility patterns and motivations of knowledge workers in order to provide a classification of different types of knowledge worker.Design/methodology/approach – The study was undertaken using a range of qualitative research methods including semi‐structured interviews with 20 knowledge workers representing different levels of mobility and experience, ethnographic studies in a media company, real estate business and a public relations firm, and a user workshop. A novel drawing exercise was introduced to elicit responses during the interview process.Findings – Four knowledge worker “character types” emerged from the research: the Anchor and the Connector, who are mainly office‐based, and the Gatherer and the Navigator, who work more widely afield.Research limitations/implications – This is a small study revealing characteristics pa...

Design and empathy

Over the past ten years, at the Royal College of Art, a body of knowledge has been built up around the practice of working closely with older and disabled users, and good evidence has emerged of the impact this has on the thinking of young designers, and the extent to which that is carried through into professional practice. The process has been one of learning by doing, and the underlying ideas are very straightforward, but the value lies in the impact this has on design outcomes and the extent to which it has prompted mould-breaking work, and driven the shift in thinking and practice, from technical aids and assistive devices to inclusive design. There are many caveats to the process, and issues about which users to work with, how to go about that, and whether or not such relationships are exploitative. But overall, what has been learnt is that given appropriate, supporting information and methodologies, and access to a well-organised and representative network of users, the process can be very effective.

A designer's approach: how can autistic adults with learning disabilities be involved in the design process?

Autistic adults with limited speech and additional learning disabilities who are often excluded from design research are at the heart of this project. These are people whose perceptions, experiences and interactions with their surroundings are unique, but also are people who may not be able to communicate verbally their differences to the remaining 99% of the population. This, in combination with their distinctive cognitive profile, has resulted in a lack of studies involving people living with autism, and consequently their life experiences may neither be heard nor understood and remain largely unexplored. By reflecting upon the ongoing design collaboration between The Helen Hamlyn Centre for Design and the autism charity The Kingwood Trust, this paper reflects on the approach and methods used in three design studies. Particular attention is paid towards the careful selection, adaptation and development of collaborative design methods for autistic adults and their support staff to be involved. By working beyond the boundaries of a neurotypical culture, the project aims to support the greater goal of improving the everyday experiences of people living with autism by breaking down the barriers to participation.

Designing out Medical Error: An Interdisciplinary Approach to the Design of Healthcare Equipment

ABSTRACT Medical error is an internationally recognized problem, with major financial and human costs. The design of hospital equipment, devices and environments can contribute to the problem. Clinical staff often have to cope with confusing interfaces and equipment, making their tasks difficult and potentially dangerous. There are calls to rethink the approach to design in healthcare. Design should acknowledge the real-world issues users face in the hospital environment. A collaborative approach is required to understand these issues. This paper outlines the methodologies used in two interdisciplinary case study projects, revealing the importance of a clear set of working methods and detailing the approach taken at each point. The resulting designs aim to better support healthcare processes, reducing the instance of medical error and ultimately saving lives.