Designing for People |
When trying to think of a new product to design and make, it is helpful to begin by thinking about different people's interests and what they might need or want. Do they do a job for instance, that involves the use of special equipment? Do they have a hobby or activity that could be made more fun or easier for them to do?
When professional designers are developing new electronic products, they need to know, or decide, who their target market is likely to be. This allows them to do research to find out the end-user's specific needs and wants. This research is not only useful to have when determining initial design ideas, but later on, when developing upgrades or future versions of the product. If feedback from the user is only obtained when the product is being finally tested and evaluated, this could be too late, as it may be too difficult to incorporate their views at this stage, or too expensive to fix any problems/issues raised. Example Product:
In the above setup, sound amplification/recording equipment is being used to allow an audience in the room to hear the musicians and for the live music to be streamed. The engineer operating the equipment will have their own unique method of doing things, or "workflow", and the design of the mixing desk will need to allow that flexibility of working. This will have been carefully considered when the product was first being developed.
Making the mixing desk's controls ergonomic - that is: easy to find, setup and comfortable to operate quickly, is a great help and necessity to engineers who are operating this type of equipment when mixing live music events. Future changes in the equipment are made possible by software upgrades which work side-by-side with the hardware electronic components in the equipment. An electronic component which can be reprogrammed by software to change its functionality, is known as "firmware". Conclusion: A professional product designer does not work alone, or in isolation, when deciding upon or developing design ideas. They will consider the potential user's views, needs and wants from the very beginning. You can read more about this in section 3 on the left. By identifying the target market and potential user's wishes early on, it allows their suggestions and thoughts to be gathered through research and investigation. This information can be incorporated into the design work undertaken and help to make the final product more desirable and successful. Example Situation and Opportunity for a New Electronic Product: The global Covid pandemic made face coverings/masks either compulsory or desirable in many countries. Designers came up with many different versions to suit face sizes and the "look" different users wanted. However, the most important design requirement of the face mask was to help protect people or people around them. Example Face Mask Coverings In use, it is important they are not allowed to get too damp or wet. This can be a particular problem for people who are wearing them for long periods of time and too busy to notice the moisture build-up. This problem leads to an opportunity, or need, for a method to be found to detect how damp face coverings are: so people can be automatically alerted if the masks need to be dried before further use, or thrown away if too saturated. Developing an Electronic Design Solutions: You will be able to see how to design and make a simple electronic moisture detecting control device in the "FastTrack" section of this software. This system gives a rough indication of dampness and although it is not an accurate scientific method of measuring the health effectiveness of face masks, it can be used to help increase people's awareness of the need to not wear the same mask for too long. Coming up with Your Own Ideas for a Project to Make: If you know of a different problem, need or difficulty others have, then this could be a great place to start and for you to design and make a new product. Remember, different people have their own preferences and requirements and as a designer it is important for you to first find out their views and properly consider them. By doing this and keeping the end user's views and opinions carefully in mind, you will find it easier to come up with a solution or product that may be of real interest and use to them. Further Reading: The other links on the left will go deeper into the design process and assist you further in thinking of a project idea: "2 - Example Control Projects" This provides examples of prototype projects that have been designed and made for people with specific needs and wants. "3 - User Centred Iterative Design" This animated resource shows you how to put the end-user at the centre of your design work. "4 - Designing Ideas & Activities" Use these to develop your understanding of the design process and to help provide ideas for projects you could design and make.
To help you get started choosing a project to design and make, here are a number of things you could do. (If you find these difficult, you might find it easier to come up with ideas if you work with a partner or small group). 1a, Identify and list a range of different people in different jobs. This could even include your mum or dad doing work at home. 1b, List the activities or tasks that they are involved in. 1c, Now list the things that they use or might need. Try to think of at least ten different occupations / jobs and note down what equipment or resources would be useful to them. You could present your ideas as a spider chart so you can link your thoughts and ideas together. 2a, Make a list of as many different places where people gather and do things: a playgroup, sports centre or youth club for instance. 2b, What activities/work do these people get involved in? It may be possible for you to visit some of these places and look for ideas, or ask for suggestions from the people you know there.
At Home - In the Town - At School Are there any opportunities, or people's needs, that could lead you to designing and making a useful electronic project for them? Perhaps somebody else in your family, or a pet, could benefit from an electronic detection device or alerting system...
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