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t E/ME 105"Engineering Design of

Products for the Developing World"

Nov. 16, 2006 Lecture

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t Today…Human Factors: the Product Interface.

Models and Effective Simulation in Design.

Development and Design Research in Guatemala… Design without Borders.

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t… it is possible to visualize an ergonomics

problem as an interface problem...

Human Factors:An Interface Problem

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tSome issues to consider when designing the

interface:

Different kinds of users need different interfaces for the same product (a product must have

multiple interfaces).

The intellectual process between “perceiving the world” and “executing the action” is a natural one

- i.e., we all do it…

… however, it is influenced by relative factors such as age, gender, culture…

Human Factors:An Interface Problem

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tFor instance, colors… there is a “psychological

meaning”, for colors, but that is often challenged by cultural meanings…

Human Factors:An Interface Problem

Another example: “straight forward” reactions… many times the user interpretation and response

to a system stimuli is influenced by cultural values.

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tSo, a model is one of the main tools a designer

has available to test user interfaces.

Such models should allow the designer to:

Test different interfaces across different users.

“Measure” the cultural factors implied in the user’s response to a product.

Human Factors:An Interface Problem

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t“Model” Definition:

“A complex analogy, specifically chosen by its user (the designer) to describe the structure,

functions and / or mechanisms for a problem / solution.”

Design ModelsEfficient Simulation

Every model is a “simulation”… it is not the “real thing”

Depending on its purpose, some characteristics of the actual product are not present in the model…

e.g., size (the model is a scale model);Materials (some - or all - materials are simulated)

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tIn many instances, some sort of code needs to be created - e.g., in some geography maps the color in different

areas tells the user how “high” the land represented is…

Design ModelsEfficient Simulation

That requires an agreement between the model creator and the model user (many times such

agreements are grouped in “standard rules”)

The more abstract the model is, the larger the number of “conventional rules” both, the model

creator and the model user, have to know to create and use the model…

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tThat is to say, the level of abstraction in a model

is in direct proportion to the number of codes needed to create and use it.

Design ModelsEfficient Simulation

For example, the following is a very abstract model used to describe and explain something…

The abstraction level is very high, as well as the amount of “training” needed to understand it and

use it… let alone to create it…

E=mc2

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tAlso, something very remarkable in this example

is how effective the model is: with minimum resources - i.e., paper, a pencil and some

symbols, one is able to represent very complex things (if we know the code!).

Design ModelsEfficient Simulation

In other words, once we go through the rather long and “painful” process of mastering a code, abstract models become very efficient models…

Other examples of abstract models: music notation, written literature…

E=mc2

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t“Model” Types:

So… Models can be classified in terms of their “abstraction level”

Design ModelsEfficient Simulation

- +

Abstract Models

Iconic models

Concrete Models

Formulas,Textual descriptions

Virtual 3D Modeling, Maps, Technical Drawings

Prototypes, Mock-ups.

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tEvery one of these categories have advantages

and disadvantages:

Design ModelsEfficient Simulation

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Abstract Models

Iconic models

Concrete Models

Steep learning curve. Very cheap to make. Easily modifiable.

Easier to understand with little training (no codes needed),Expensive to make.

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tSometimes, it’s argued that a discipline is more

mature when it uses the more sophisticated abstract models…

- e.g., An engineer can represent a bridge with a mathematical formula, a designer or an architect would do it with a scale

model…

Design ModelsEfficient Simulation

- +

Abstract Models

Iconic models

Concrete Models

Steep learning curve. Very cheap to make. Easily modifiable.

Easier to understand with little training (no codes needed),Expensive to make.

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tDifferent types of model are used through the

different stages during the design process in a back and forth way…

Usually, but not necessarily, very abstract or iconic models at the beginning and very concrete ones towards the end…

Design ModelsEfficient Simulation

- +

Abstract Models

Iconic models

Concrete Models

Steep learning curve. Very cheap to make. Easily modifiable.

Easier to understand with little training (no codes needed),Expensive to make.

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t Design ModelsEfficient Simulation

- +

Abstract Models

Iconic models

Concrete Models

0

1

2

3

4

5

menor de un metro

área de precarga amplia (capacidad)

seguridad para los recipientes

seguro para operario en el camión

seguro para operarios en el piso(transporte)

descarga libre

fácil de limpiar

durable

mecanismos simples

simplesa de construcción

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tAlso, when testing or validating a solution proposal, different types of model can be used, depending on:

The factor that is being tested- e.g., usability, aesthetics, production, assembling…

The nature of the user - e.g., main user, the mechanic in charge of maintenance, an user

with a low literacy level

Design ModelsEfficient Simulation

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tOn that regard, when dealing with “design and

development” projects it is very clear then, that a full-scaled, very realistic, functional prototype (a

concrete model) is a good thing…

However, just consider that it could be expensive, hard to make, hard to test (specially when you are

“there” and we are “here”); also, it is hard to change things…

Design ModelsEfficient Simulation

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tI will encourage you to:

Device different models to test different factors- e.g., a scale model to check on assembly, a digital image to

validate different colors and textures, a computer animation to show its components and mechanisms, a comparison table to show its

advantages relative to the current situation, show the cost / benefit ratio...

Create partial or totally functional models to “show” how it is used - e.g., Jeff gave a live demonstration of his product

in San Juan (many times it is easier to understand something by watching somebody else using it than by trying to use it…)

Make a “compelling case” with your models-e.g., and we all saw a video recording of Jeff´s being tested…

impressive.

Create a model setting that will help people to identify themselves with the product

- e.g., in Photoshop show the product in its context…

Design ModelsEfficient Simulation

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t Landivar’s INDISPrograms

INDIS has organized its projects within three general programs:

Design without Borders Program

Artisan Development Program

Participatory Urban Development and Management Program

INDIS is the Design Research Institute at Landívar University in Guatemala. It is linked to the Faculty of Architecture and

Design, and is in charge of promoting and executing projects which open opportunities to develop new research tools and

knowledge in design, applied to Guatemala specific circumstances.

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t INDISCrafts

Industrial design student projects working with American designers in teams with

craft producers and exporters to develop local innovation capabilities and products.

Funding and support provided by ATA (Aid To Artisans) and USAID.

Craft design courses in several areas (textiles, ceramics, natural fibers, natural

dyes) for industrial design students, artisans and exporters.

Norwegian Center For Design And Architecture

Design without Borders

NORWAY GUATEMALA

Landivar´s Design Research Institute

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tBailey, R.

“Human Performance Engineering.”Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall, 1989

Haugeto, K. (ed.)“Design Without Borders. Experiences from

Incorporating Industrial Design into Projects for Development and Humanitarian Aid.”

Oslo: Norsk Form, 2004

Manzini, E.“The Material of Invention.”Cambridge, Mass.: MIT Press, 1989

Norman, D.“The Psychology of Everyday Things.”

New York: Basic Books, 1988

Bibliography

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tOscar Arce

Indis - Design Research InstituteDesign without Borders Coordination / Guatemala

Universidad Rafael Landívar +502 2426 2606olarce@url.edu.gt

http://www.norskform.no/default.asp?V_ITEM_ID=1490

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