Med-Tech Innovation Design
Cardiff, noted the need for ethnographic evaluation for manufacturers engaged in product design if they are to routinely create innovative developments, rather than produce me-too products. It adapts applied ethnography and other user-led d esign principles to create a rapid ethnographic analysis (REA) service that is accessible to companies of all sizes.
The REA service combines two approaches: creating quasi-contextual environments for user trials and developing solutions for early user-interface prototyping. First, the use of quasi-contextual environments in PDR’s user-research laboratory assists in reducing the cost of user observation. This is achieved by locating simulated environments in a laboratory equipped with observational equipment (multiple video cameras and audio recording hardware) and behavioural analysis software. Second, systems have been developed to rapidly test interface options early in the development cycle. These involve using technologies such as Flash programming and wireless communication devices to transmit simulated, interactive interfaces to dummy models. Together, the simulated environments and interface prototyping can be used throughout the design process with rapid prototype output to quickly test user experiences with new product options. Each of these approaches applies theories in user- centric design with an additional focus on reduction of
Product development and the user Sanders1
recognised that “The market driven era is finally giving way to the people-centred era” due to business recognition that products have to be useful to be successful. “
The issue of usefulness is expanded by Utterback et al.2
Almquist and Lupton3 describe a transition in design research from a “study of things to a study of people.”
customers’ value expectations, leading to improved market relevance.
Medical device development These design strategies are likely to reduce instances of user difficulty on product release. For medical devices, the potential impact extends beyond product success or failure, because inadequate operational performance has a potentially critical effect on user health. From a commercial point of view, not only do user-centred design strategies make for more appealing products, but there exists the potential to create more robust evidence of due diligence. The NHS has recognised that user-centred design is important for medical device development and as such the National Patient Safety Agency has published guidelines on user testing for medical device development.4
However, as yet companies have limited
access to the required expertise to undertake relevant studies and put the results of the studies back into the development process. In addition, there is limited empirical enquiry into the application of user-centred design theory. PDR’s mission is to generate empirical understanding of the application of design tools in order to assist the development of better products for companies and end users.
References
1. E. Sanders, “Design Research in 2006,” Design Research Quarterly, 1, 1, 1–8 (2006).
2. J.M.Utterback, et al., “Design-Inspired Innovation,” World Scientific, New Jersey, USA (2006).
"3. J. Almquist, J. Lupton, “Affording Meaning: Design-Oriented Research from the Humanities and Social Sciences,” Design Issues, 26, 1, 314 (2010).
development risk. This gives product developers the opportunity to explore the efficacy of user interaction and to refine solutions before extensive investment is put into development. As a result, usability testing is not simply confined to the end of the development process when design changes are likely to be costly and it reduces the risk of inappropriately designed products. Bringing together rapid prototyping, video ethnography and design expertise creates an opportunity for the generation of new products that better address potential
www.med-techinnovation.com
4. National Patient Safety Agency, “Design for Patient Safety: User Testing in the Development of Medical Devices,” online:
www.nrls.npsa.nhs.uk/design (2010).
Dr Andrew Walters is Senior Researcher at PDR, the National Centre for Product Design and Development, University of Wales Institute Cardiff, Western Avenue, Cardiff CF5 2YB, tel. +44 (0)29 2041 6725, e-mail:
atwalters@pdronline.co.uk,
www.pdronline.co.uk
April 2011 ¦ 31 who write of successful companies’ aspirations to
“create an emotional link between the product and the consumer.”
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54