Exploring Empathy in Student Design Teams

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meredith Apfelbaum ◽  
Kendra Sharp ◽  
Andy Dong
Keyword(s):  
Design Process ◽  
Reactivity Index ◽  
User Needs ◽  
Applied Psychology ◽  
Student Groups ◽  
Technical Requirements ◽  
Trait Empathy ◽  
Final Design ◽  
Empathy Scale ◽  
Design Theories

Abstract The objective of this paper is to develop a methodology to better understand behavioral empathy in the design process for the purpose of addressing user needs. To accomplish this, content analysis was conducted on undergraduate student assignments that documented group projects designing a consumer product. Using qualitative data analysis, the assignments and presentations were coded for their levels of behavioral empathy, using a scale that applied psychology and design theories. The Interpersonal Reactivity Index was administered to the students to assess their trait empathy. Results from these two analyses showed little connection between levels of behavioral empathy and self-assessed trait empathy of the student groups. The student assignments did reveal empathic waves that demonstrated comprehension and application of expressed user needs, evidenced by ascending and descending the empathy scale. These results indicate that is it not trait empathy that leads to empathic design, but rather applied empathy in the design process; developing internal empathy is not sufficient if it does not effectively translate user needs to technical requirements in the final design.

Bringing Ergonomics to the Design of a Behavioural Care Unit

2000 ◽  
Vol 44 (8) ◽  
pp. 8-11
Author(s):  
Jacqueline B. Barnett
Keyword(s):  
Design Process ◽  
Iterative Process ◽  
User Needs ◽  
Work Processes ◽  
Team Members ◽  
Early Design ◽  
Design Changes ◽  
Final Design ◽  
The Individual ◽  
The Cost

The application of ergonomics is important when considering the built environment. In order to create an environment where form follows function, a detailed understanding of the tasks performed by the individuals who will live and work in the facility is required. Early involvement in the project is key to maximizing the benefit of ergonomics. At Sunnybrook and Women's College Health Sciences Centre in Toronto, Canada, this early intervention was embraced during the design process of a behavioural care unit for aggressive patients. The ergonomist was involved in three phases of design; user needs analysis, block schematics and detailed design. The user needs and characteristics were established using a combination of focus groups, interviews, direct observation, task analysis and critique of current working environments. The challenge was to present the information to the design team in a useful manner. The format chosen was a modification of Userfit (Poulson 1996) that outlined the various characteristics of the patient group and the design consequences with “what does this mean for me” statements. During the block schematics phase an iterative design process was used to ensure that the ergonomic principles and the user needs were incorporated into the design. Ergonomic input was used in determining the room sizes and layout and to ensure work processes were considered. Simple mock-ups and anthropometric data assisted in illustrating the need for design changes. Examples that highlight the areas of greatest impact of ergonomic intervention include the patient bathrooms, showers and tub room. Significant changes were made to the design to improve the safety of the work and living space of the end users. One of the greatest challenges was having an appreciation for the individual goals of the team members. Ensuring there was adequate space for equipment and staff often resulted in recommendations for increased space. This in turn would increase the cost of the project. The architect and, later in the project, the engineer had goals of bringing the project in on budget. The final design was very much a team effort and truly die result of an iterative process. The sum of the individual contributions could not match the combined efforts. It was only through the ergonomic contributions in this early design phase that the needs of the staff, patients and families could be so well represented. The success of the iterative process provides the foundation for bringing ergonomics considerations into the early design stages of future projects.

Yacht Design with Computers: New Methods for New Tools

1983 ◽  
Author(s):  
George S. Hazen ◽  
Steve Killing
Keyword(s):  
Design Process ◽  
Preliminary Design ◽  
Original Design ◽  
New Methods ◽  
Design Office ◽  
Final Design ◽  
Cad Cam

From the perspective of the design office, this paper examines the manner in which computers are streamlining and changing the design process for today's sailing yachts. Starting with preliminary design and progressing through the more detailed aspects of final design, the computer's varying roles in the design process are traced with examples drawn from currently implemented programs. In addition to its customary role as a bookkeeper, the computer's remarkable graphics capabilities are highlighted. The authors offer a glimpse of what programs and hardware tomorrow's yacht designer will use as frequently as his curves and battens. The paper covers such subjects as design follow-up, sailing analysis and feedback into the original design process. Since designers are not the only ones to benefit from the computer revolution, the authors have included sections on computer generated sailing aids for the yachtsman and possible CAD/CAM applications for the boatbuilder.

Design, Fabrication and Flight Testing of a Surveillance UAV

2015 ◽  
Vol 1115 ◽  
pp. 450-453 ◽  
Author(s):  
Moumen Idres ◽  
Burhani Makame ◽  
Bala Nabil Ahmad ◽  
Saleh Naji ◽  
Ahmad Safiuddin
Keyword(s):  
Design Process ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Flight Test ◽  
Wing Loading ◽  
Rescue Operation ◽  
Low Weight ◽  
Carbon Rods ◽  
Power Loading ◽  
Final Design ◽  
Aerial Vehicle

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) is becoming increasingly popular because it can perform variety of functions. These functions include surveillance, reconnaissance, monitoring, data collection and rescue operation. The purpose of this work is to design, fabricate and fly a low weight, low cost, small size UAV for a surveillance mission. The design is carried out based on Advanced Aircraft Analysis (AAA) software. The design process starts with the design specifications for a typical surveillance mission. Aircraft weight, wing loading and power loading were estimated in performance sizing process. Geometry was estimated using preliminary sizing. Aerodynamics of the aircraft was determined, which enabled the performance and stability to be analysed. If the desired performance is not achieved, the sizing is readjusted until a final design is reached. The aircraft was manufactured using foam, carbon rods, and fibreglass. The aircraft successfully flew at the first trial flight. This was followed by a successful flight with aerial photography. Keywords: UAV, design process, fabrication process, composite structure, flight test

scholarly journals DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE WESTERN BREAKWATER FOR THE OUTER PORT AT PUNTA LANGOSTEIRA (A CORUÑA, SPAIN)

2017 ◽  
pp. 14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonio Corredor Molguero ◽  
M. Esther Gómez-Martín ◽  
Enrique Peña ◽  
Josep R. Medina
Keyword(s):  
Design Process ◽  
Double Layer ◽  
Atlantic Coast ◽  
Single Layer ◽  
Significant Problem ◽  
Stability Tests ◽  
Final Design ◽  
New Challenges ◽  
Filter Thickness ◽  
Hydraulic Stability

This paper describes the design process, hydraulic stability tests and construction of the Cubipod® armored Western breakwater at Punta Langosteira (Outer Port of A Coruña, Spain), located on the Atlantic coast of Spain. The environmental, geotechnical, economic and logistic conditions favored randomly-placed Cubipods for single-layer armoring of the trunk. 3D hydraulic stability tests were carried out to validate the final design of the Western Breakwater; two models were tested with single- and double-layer Cubipod armors in the trunk and roundhead, respectively. Single-layer 25- and 30-tonne Cubipod® armors were used for the trunk section and a double-layer 45-tonne Cubipod® armor was used for the roundhead. During this project, new challenges were overcome, such as constructing a transition between single and double-layer armors, and manufacturing and handling of 45-tonne Cubipods. The transition in the armor thickness was solved by modifying the filter thickness under the main armor, to ensure a homogeneous external armor profile. Breakwater construction finished in November 2016 with no significant problem or delay in the original schedule.

A Survey of FPGA Dynamic Reconfiguration Design Methodology and Applications

2012 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 23-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ming Liu ◽  
Zhonghai Lu ◽  
Wolfgang Kuehn ◽  
Axel Jantsch
Keyword(s):  
Design Process ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Dynamic Reconfiguration ◽  
Dynamic Partial Reconfiguration ◽  
Development Methodology ◽  
Technical Requirements ◽  
Reconfigurable Design ◽  
On Chip ◽  
Time Division ◽  
Engineering Projects

FPGA Dynamic Partial Reconfiguration (DPR or PR) technology has emerged and become gradually mature in the recent years. It provides the Time-Division Multiplexing (TDM) capability in utilizing on-chip resources and leads to significant benefits in comparison with conventional static designs. However, the partially reconfigurable design process features additional complexity and technical requirements to the FPGA developers. Hence, PR design approaches are being widely explored and investigated to systematize the development methodology and ease the designers. In this paper, the authors collect several research and engineering projects in this area and present a survey of the design methodology and applications of PR. Research aspects are discussed in various hardware/software layers.

Social Research Methods Used in Moving the Traditional Usability Approach Towards a User-Centered Design Approach

2009 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 36-53
Author(s):  
Horia D. Pitariu ◽  
Daniela M. Andrei ◽  
Adriana M. Guran
Keyword(s):  
Research Methods ◽  
Design Process ◽  
Social Research ◽  
Web Design ◽  
Needs Analysis ◽  
User Needs ◽  
Main Concern ◽  
User Centered Design ◽  
The People

The present chapter focuses on the idea of rethinking the concept of usability moving from the traditional view of usability expressed in the internal characteristics of the product towards usability understood as deriving from the quality of interactions between humans, their work and the web design product. Usability is not only an add-on or a final result in the design process but it is embedded as a main concern within the design process itself. Related to this perspective on usability, the authors discussed the design models which can support it and argued on the importance of using social research tools for a better understanding of the people and their needs starting with the very first stage of design. Further on the authors have provided a brief description of the most frequently used research methods in user needs analysis (interviews, focus groups and surveys) together with short guidelines in preparing and using these methods. The last part is dedicated to the illustration of user needs analysis taken from two of their research projects.

scholarly journals Understanding Inclusive Design Education

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 619-628 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicky Wilson ◽  
Avril Thomson ◽  
Angus Thomson ◽  
Alexander Freddie Holliman
Keyword(s):  
Design Process ◽  
Design Education ◽  
Population Ageing ◽  
Current Approach ◽  
Inclusive Design ◽  
User Needs ◽  
User Requirements ◽  
Student Survey ◽  
Education Strategy ◽  
Uk Higher Education

AbstractThere is a need for responsible engineering design to accommodate the diverse user requirements that come with the global phenomenon of population ageing. Inclusive design can address these diverse requirements through the consideration of a wide diversity of user needs within the design process. However, uptake of inclusive design in industry is limited, with designer awareness of the approach and its associated methods and tools noted as barriers to its uptake. This research aims to understand the current approach to inclusive design education within UK Higher Education Institutions, utilising interviews with design educators and a student survey. The study concluded that teaching of inclusive design varied between institutions with conflicting responses from academics and students relating to the methodologies taught. This study recommends that greater transparency should be encouraged between institutions to encourage the development of a cohesive inclusive design education strategy, in addition to the development of a framework to aid the implementation of appropriate inclusive methods and tools within the design process.

Design-Based Doctoral Education in Bioengineering

2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alyssa K. R. Burke ◽  
Sara E. Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Design Process ◽  
Graduate Programs ◽  
The United States ◽  
Medical Product ◽  
User Needs ◽  
Clinical Experiences ◽  
Design Based Research ◽  
Doctoral Level ◽  
Research And Education ◽  
Bio Engineering

Abstract In order to meet the needs of industry, graduate schools should consider adding design-based programs to their curriculum. A majority of Ph.D. students in bio-engineering and biomedical engineering (BME) seek employment outside of academia, implying that these students will need to be able to leverage their dissertation research for other types of positions. Here, curriculum elements are examined from several graduate programs across the United States and a strategy is proposed that combines bio-engineering design-based research and education at the doctoral level. Ideally, a design-based Ph.D. includes: traditional engineering and scientific coursework, coursework focused on the design and commercialization process, industry and clinical experiences, and design-centric research. A design-based dissertation leverages the design process into specific aims that build on each other to complete a body of work. These aims can occur at different points in the design process and should include evaluation of the technology against user needs. It is possible to orient the in-depth research of a doctoral dissertation to the design of an innovative medical product that can be of a benefit to patients.

The Value of Prototyping: An Investigation of the Relationship Between the Costs of Prototyping, Perceived Value, and Design Outcome

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacob Nelson ◽  
Jessica Menold
Keyword(s):  
Design Process ◽  
Engineering Students ◽  
Perceived Value ◽  
Design Knowledge ◽  
Prior Work ◽  
High Performing ◽  
Significant Relationships ◽  
Final Design ◽  
The Cost ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Prototyping is an important part of the design process and has repeatedly been identified in prior work as an important tool for designers to test assumptions, communicate ideas, and develop design knowledge. Researchers, however, currently have a limited understanding of how the resources invested in a prototype influence designers’ decision-making and their perceptions of a prototype’s value. Prior work has shown that significant investment of time or money in a prototype can lead to undesirable effects such as design fixation, but the full impact of these factors on designers’ perceived value of the prototypes remains unclear. Likewise, it is unclear how prototype usage impacts the evolution of designer knowledge. To explore these relationships, a study was performed in a 16 week-long design project involving 32 teams of mechanical engineering students. Results suggest that effective prototyping uncovered new design knowledge and limited uncertainty early in the design process, allowing teams to spend more time testing and iterating later in the design process. High-performing teams also reported final prototypes as less valuable for gathering new knowledge than their peers. Importantly, the study did not find any significant relationships between the cost of a prototype in terms of money and time, and the perceived value of that prototype. Nor were any significant relationships found between costs and final design outcomes. This work underscores the need for better methods to evaluate the value of prototyping efforts.

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