This is an action-oriented study aimed at designing a practical methodology for generating evidence backed solutions for practical problems by means of literature review. Three iterations of systematic review are applied which evaluates different search strategies and reporting structures to provide a framework for an ideation technique. Resulting in an adaptation of a previously used framework which can be deployed to different extents that appears to result in design propositions alongside individual interventions.

The design and adjustment of convolutional neural network architectures is an opaque and mostly trial and error-driven process. The main reason for this is the lack of proper paradigms beyond general conventions for the development of neural networks architectures and lacking effective insights into the models that can be propagated back to design decision. In order for the task-specific design of deep learning solutions to become more efficient and goal-oriented, novel design strategies need to be developed that are founded on an understanding of convolutional neural network models. This work develops tools for the analysis of the inference process in trained neural network models. Based on these tools, characteristics of convolutional neural network models are identified that can be linked to inefficiencies in predictive and computational performance. Based on these insights, this work presents methods for effectively diagnosing these design faults before and during training with little computational overhead. These findings are empirically tested and demonstrated on architectures with sequential and multi-pathway structures, covering all the common types of convolutional neural network architectures used for classification. Furthermore, this work proposes simple optimization strategies that allow for goal-oriented and informed adjustment of the neural architecture, opening the potential for a less trial-and-error-driven design process.

Until now infrequent terms have been neglected in searching in order to save time and memory. With the help of a cascaded index and the introduced algorithms, such considerations are no longer necessary. A fast and efficient method was developed in order to find all terms in the largest freely available corpus of texts in the German language by exact search, part-word-search and fuzzy search. The process can be extended to include transliterated passages. In addition, documents that contain the term with a modified spelling, can also be found by a fuzzy search. Time and memory requirements are determined and fall considerably below the requests of common search engines.

This thesis addresses designing Product Lines (PLs) of Graphical Editors (GEs). It provides a feasible top-down design approach specialized on such Graphical Editor Product Lines (GEPLs), which can be configured dynamically. Furthermore, the end product's features are implemented modular, which has numerous positive effects on the development and maintenance processes for the family. These effects reach from decreasing the complexity of big PLs, allowing to delegate split up development tasks onto multiple isolated working teams, easier debugging and flexibility to extend or specialize a family of products as well as being able to use functionalities developed by third-party vendors. While design methods avoiding monolithic architectures and implementations exist for many PL domains, there are none known for GEPLs. Yet, the domain of those offers many challenges as GEPLs are actually comprised of Software Product Lines (SPLs) and Language Product Lines (LPLs), which is a combination untackled by any modular design approach known to me. Additionally, products in the domain require to implement multiple distinct and specific concerns, leading to artifacts which differ significantly but have to be located and managed in a single component. Overall, this justifies the need for specialized design approaches for the GEPL domain. In regard to this need, this thesis gives an overview of the existing landscape of approaches to design PLs, analyzing solutions offered by other researchers. Furthermore, a requirement analysis for the GEPL domain is conducted. Its results are the foundation for the presentation of a top-down design approach for dynamically configurable GEPLs, which are implemented feature modularly. Finally, a case study documenting the development of such a family of GEs is providing a proof of its feasibility.:1 Introduction 1.1 Motivation 1.2 Problem Definition 1.3 Outline 1.4 Terminology 2 Survey on Software and Language Product Line Design 2.1 Classification Scheme 2.1.1 Domain 2.1.2 Configuration 2.1.3 Design Method 2.1.4 Modularity 2.2 Overview 2.3 Discussion 2.3.1 Evaluation 2.3.2 Results 3 Requirements of Graphical Editor Product Lines 32 3.1 Functional Requirements 3.1.1 Edit Concerns 3.1.2 Language Family Concerns 3.2 Non-Functional Requirements 3.2.1 User Requirements 3.2.2 Development Requirements 4 Design of Graphical Editor Product Lines 4.1 Characteristics 4.2 Design Approach 4.2.1 Edit Concerns 4.2.2 Language Family Concerns 4.3 Discussion 4.3.1 Techniques 4.3.2 Evaluation 5 Case study: Modularization of a Family of Graphical Editors 5.1 Background 5.1.1 Compartment Role Object Model 5.1.2 Full-fledged Role Modeling Editor 5.1.3 Reusable Technology 5.2 Realization 5.2.1 Edit Concerns 5.2.2 Language Family Concerns 5.3 Discussion 5.3.1 Requirements 5.3.2 Limitations of the Modularization 5.3.3 Results 6 Conclusion 6.1 Summary 6.1.1 Desired Properties 6.1.2 Feasibility 6.2 Contributions 6.3 Future Work 6.3.1 Bottom-Up Design Method 6.3.2 Requirements 6.3.3 Modularization

How might we encourage playful yet provocative attitudes to explore unfamiliar methods? This thesis investigates how interaction designers can use unusual and thought-provoking methods in their design process. It focuses on understanding the challenges, limitations and opportunities of these types of approaches. The thesis explores the use of an abusive game probe as a way to spark conversations between participants and designers. The abusive game probe has the potential to generate meaningful and insightful outcomes. The proposed abusive game probe provided difficulties, being a unique and untested method. The topic of abuse presents challenges such as ethical consideration, which still requires further research. While determining its effectiveness can be complex, the main purpose is to encourage designers to embrace unexpected and unknown elements. This thesis provides guidance for future designers to incorporate these methods into their research, continue on this project or venture out and create new and alternate methods as contributions to the field of interaction design.

This Master Thesis consisted in realizing a tool able to design, estimate the cost and calculate annual yields of a molten salt solar power tower. Such tool was made for a company providing CSP equipment and plant solutions for engineering, engineering and procurement or also EPC of a solar power tower. The Company wishes to propose competitive plant configurations presenting a good trade-off between cost and revenues. The Company can oversee the EPC of a whole power plant or/and supply some components of the molten salt cycle and of the water/steam cycle. The tool models a large scale solar power tower with a thermal energy storage system on EBSILON®Professional 12.04, a thermodynamic software.   When launching a simulation, the tool sizes the components of the molten salt cycle (design phase) according to user’s inputs, the other components have their characteristics based on a reference project. Depending on the size of the components, the total cost is determined and the revenues over a year of operation are calculated (annual performance). When performing several simulations with different configurations, the Company can judge about the economic viability of plant configurations by comparing their LCOEs and NPVs.   The present document describes the result of the Master Thesis, that is to say the tool itself, what it contains and how it works. The methodology adopted to design the components is presented in depth, the way costs were calculated is exposed. The document explains the annual performance calculations and the simple operation strategy implemented. Finally, a technical and cost validation was carried out but it would require some further work to be complete. The design and cost calculations are performed in few seconds, the annual calculations take around 2-3h.   One main contribution of the Master Thesis is to show that designing, estimating costs and calculating annual performances is feasible in a single tool operating at a high level of detail. Using the tool during a solar power tower project could considerably facilitate the current process in place at the Company. It can also allow to compare an important number of configurations to determine a good techno-economic solution. / Denna uppsats bestod i att genomföra ett verktyg som kan utforma, beräkna kostnaden och beräkna årliga avkastningar på ett smält salt soltorn. Ett sådant verktyg gjordes för ett företag inom soltornsteknik, upphandling och konstruktion (SUK) som vill föreslå konkurrenskraftiga anläggningskonfigurationer som presenterar en bra avvägning mellan kostnad och intäkter. Företaget, samtidigt som det övervakar SUK för en hel kraftverk, levererar det också vissa komponenter i den smälta saltcykeln. Verktyget modellerar ett storskaligt soltorn med ett värmeenergilagringssystem på EBSILON®Professional 12.04, en termodynamisk programvara.   När en simulering startas, ritar verktyget komponenterna i den smälta saltcykeln (designfas) enligt användarens inmatningar, de andra komponenterna är baserade på ett referensprojekt. Beroende på komponenternas storlek bestäms den totala kostnaden och intäkterna över ett verksamhetsår beräknas (årlig prestation). När flera simuleringar görs med olika konfigurationer kan företaget bedöma sin ekonomiska lönsamhet genom att jämföra sina LCOE och NPV.   Det här dokumentet beskriver resultatet av masterprojektet, det vill säga själva verktyget, vad det innehåller och hur det fungerar. Den metod som antagits för att designa komponenterna presenteras grundligt samt hur kostnaderna beräknades. Dokumentet förklarar de årliga prestationsberäkningarna och den enkla operationsstrategin som implementerats. Slutligen genomfördes en teknisk och kostnadsvalidering, men det skulle kräva ytterligare insats för att göra arbetet fullständigt. Konstruktionen och kostnadsberäkningarna utförs på få sekunder, de årliga beräkningarna tar cirka 2-3 timmar.   Ett huvudbidrag av examensarbetet är att visa att utformning, uppskattning av kostnader och beräkning av årliga prestanda är möjlig i ett enda verktyg som arbetar på en detaljrik nivå. Att använda verktyget under ett soltornsprojekt kan betydligt underlätta den nuvarande processen på plats hos företaget. Det kan också göra det möjligt att jämföra ett viktigt antal konfigurationer för att bestämma en bra tekno-ekonomisk lösning.

[pt] A presente dissertação trata do design como estratégia de inovação social, através do entendimento do uso de suas metodologias para o desenvolvimento de tecnologias sociais. Investiga como metodologias de design, usadas na prática de projetos/ grupos produtivos/ empreendimentos solidários com produção artesanal se tornam tecnologias sociais, e podem ser reaplicadas. Para tanto, foram realizadas revisões bibliográfica sobre conceitos de inovação social, tecnologia apropriada, prática colaborativa, tecnologia social, sustentabilidade e codesign, dentre outros; um levantamento dos princípios e parâmetros de formação de tecnologias sociais; um estudo de casos múltiplos com análise de quatro grupos que trabalham a relação do design com o artesanato, incluindo como instrumentos de pesquisa questionário online e entrevistas, mapeamento de iniciativas, análise dos dados com cruzamento de informações. Uma discussão acerca dos modelos metodológicos adotados pelas iniciativas dos quatro grupos se segue, e quadros comparativos são elaborados no intuito de dar visibilidade aos achados da pesquisa. O estudo verificou que no processo de inovação social o design contribui com suas metodologias, dentre outras coisas, para a geração de tecnologias sociais visando uma melhor qualidade de vida das pessoas, desenvolvimento local e transformação social. / [en] The present dissertation deals with design as a strategy of social innovation, through the understanding of the use of its methodologies for the development of social technologies. It investigates how design methodologies, used in the practice of projects / productive groups / solidary enterprises with handcraft production become social technologies, and can be reapplied. For that, a bibliographic review was carried out on concepts such as social innovation, appropriate technology, collaborative practice, social technology, sustainability and codesign, among others; a survey of principles and parameters of social technology formation was done; and a multiple case studies was conducted, with analysis of four groups working the relationship between design and the handcraft, including research instruments as online questionnaire and interviews, mapping initiatives, and data analysis with cross-information. Then a discussion about the methodological models adopted by the initiatives of the four studied groups follows, and comparative tables are elaborated in order to give visibility to the findings of the research. The study found that in the process of social innovation, design contributes with its methodologies, among other things, to the generation of social technologies aimed at a better quality of life for people, local development and social transformation.

Projektet syftar till att undersöka flervånings parkeringshus potential i omformning till offentliga utrymmen. Projektet grundar sig i ett alternativt framtidsscenario, där antalet bilar minskar i våra innerstadsområden i relation till ett mobilitetskifte kopplat till ny teknik och förändrade vanor i relaterat till mobilitet. Detta scenario kommer att generera en spatial konsekvens i en stadsmässig skala där ett flertal flervånings parkeringshus kommer bli tillgängliga för omformning i nya typer av användning samt funktioner. Detta projekt undersöker både potentialer och utmaningar i relation till omformningen av flervånings parkeringshus utifrån samtida praktik, tidigare forskning, innovativa projekt och en fältstudie av P-hus Godsmagasinet i Malmö, Sverige. Projektet resulterar i en undersökande designprocess i hur P-hus Godsmagasinet kan omformas till en offentlig plats utifrån en strategisk design utgångspunkt. Där design-metodiken är uppdelad i olika faser, för att samla och använda information samtidigt inom den pågående processen. Genom detta projekt, vill jag bidra till nya reflektioner och kunskap till de professioner som arbetar med urban utveckling, och framför allt lyfta fram flervånings parkeringshus potential, där jag anser att urban design besitter en viktig roll. Omformandet av flervånings parkeringshus är relaterat till hållbar stadsutveckling och är relevant till professioner som arbetar med samtidens och framtidens stadsmiljös problematik, där jag anser att detta projekt inte enbart illustrerar mitt eget intresse utan är relevant för ett flertal som arbetar med stadsmässiga miljöer. / The purpose of the project is to investigate the multi-story parking structures potential in relation to retrofit into public spaces. The project built on an alternative future scenario, there the amount of automobiles decreasing in our inner-city areas out from a mobility shift, linked to new technology and change of habits. This scenario will generate a spatial consequence on a city scale there several multi-story parking structures will become available for retrofitting into new types of uses and functions. This project investigates the potential and challenges of the retrofitting of multi-story parking structures out from contemporary practice, previous research, innovative projects and an actual case study of P-house Godsmagasinet in Malmö, Sweden. The work results in an exploratory design process in how P-house Godsmagasinet can be retrofitted into a public space out from a strategic design approach. There the design methodology is divided into different phases, to collect and use information simultaneously within the ongoing process. Through this project, I want to contribute with extended reflections and knowledge to the professions working with urban developments, and above all highlight the potential of the multi-story parking structure. The retrofitting of multi-story parking structures is related to sustainable urban development and is relevant in the professions dealing with contemporary and future urban environment issues, where I believe that this not only illustrates my own interest but is relevant to everyone who working with the urban environment.

Denna avhandling har sin grund i mina erfarenheter av att arbete med människor som har funktionsnedsättningar. Vanligtvis är denna grupp den sista en producent ser som sina kunder. Det är ganska vanligt att producenter gör olika produkter(produkter och tjänster) för personer med funktionsnedsättningar och en för andra. Om man istället, i designarbetet utgår från synsättet att de flesta personer vid någon tidpunkt och/eller plats har funktionssvårigheter så blir den potentiella kundgruppen större för produkten. Ursprunget för avhandlingen är ett projekt, vilket drevs av PTS (Post och Telestyrelsen), med syfte att identifiera vilka typer av stöd eller anpassningar personer med intellektuella funktionsnedsättningar har för att använda bredbandsbaserade tjänster. Resultatet i projektet pekade ut ett antal svårighetsområden där flertalet av dessa svårighetsområden inte var unika för denna grupp. Utifrån resultat i ovanstående projekt togs det fram en test-, utvärderings- och designmodell (TED-modellen) där ett av stegen använde en ”indikatorgrupp”. Syftet med modellen är att identifiera och ge underlag för att prioritera vilka svårighetsområden det fortsatta designarbetet skall fokuseras på. Indikatorgruppen består av individer med funktionssvårigheter som är relevanta i sammanhanget. Modellen tar vara på möjligheterna i ”design för alla” för att göra att göra bättre produkter för människorna. De empiriska studierna i denna uppsats är gjorda inom två områden. Den första är i ett designsammanhang, där fem olika hemsidor skulle tas fram och den andra är runt en studie av tre olika affärsarbetsplatser, där kassafunktionen var i fokus för studien. Resultatet i denna uppsats pekar ut en möjlig inriktning för en designmetodologi, vars målsättning är att få fram bättre produkter för en större grupp. Utgångspunkten är att använda människors olikheter som en möjlighet och inte som ett problem. Individer med funktionella svårigheter är en resurs för att finna nya innovationer vilket jag har benämnt ”the Lead of Need”. Med detta menar jag att individer med funktionella svårigheter, som har ett behov, en ide för en lösning, men inte har möjlighet att förverkliga denna. Om vi kan organisera en mötesplats för individer med ”the Lead of Need”, designers och utvecklare så har vi skapat ett ”Living lab” för nya innovationer. / This thesis has its roots in my experiences of working with people who have some forms of disability. Usually this group is the last group producers consider as their customers. It is quite common that producers make different products (and services) for individuals with disabilities and for others. If one instead takes the position, in the design work, that most people have some functional difficulties at some point in time or in place, then the potential customer group becomes larger for the product in question. The origin of this thesis is a project run by the Swedish Post and Telecom Agency (PTS), aiming to identify what kind of support or adaptation people with intellectual disabilities needs when using broadband based services. The result of the project pointed out areas of difficulties. Most areas of difficulties were not unique for this group. From the result of the PTS-project, a design and evaluation model (TED-model) was built, where one of the steps involved the use of an “indicator group”. The aim for this step is to identify and give basis for prioritizing areas of difficulty that the continued design work should focus on. The indicator group consists of individuals with functional difficulties relevant in a specified context. This method uses the possibilities of “design for all” as facilitator to design better products for more people. The empirical studies in this thesis were carried out within two areas. The first study was made in a design project, where five different web sites were to be designed, and the second one dealt with three different business workplaces in which the cashier workplaces was in focus. The results of this thesis point out a possible direction of a design methodology, whose objective is to create better products for larger group of people. The starting point is to use people's differences as a possibility for design, and not a problem. Individuals with functional difficulties constitute a resource for finding new innovations, which I have termed “the Lead of Need”. With this I mean individuals with functional difficulties, who have a need, an idea for a solution, but not the possibility to make it happen. If we can organise a meeting ground for individuals with “the Lead of Need”, designers, and developers, we will have created a “living lab” for new innovations. / QC 20101119

In der Projektierungsphase eines Elektrofahrzeugs entstehen optimale Antriebskonfigurationen erst durch die gezielte Kombination der einzelnen Antriebskomponenten. Um technisch vorteilhafte Auslegungszusammenhänge zu erkennen, ist eine systematische Untersuchung der Auslegungsfreiheitsgrade erforderlich. Diese Freiheitsgrade ergeben sich v. a. aus der Wahl der Auslegungsparameter, der Komponententypen und der Antriebstopologien. In diesem Artikel wird gezeigt, wie bereits in einer frühen Entwicklungsphase energieeffiziente Antriebskonfigurationen für Elektrofahrzeuge durch analytische Methoden identifiziert werden. Diese Methoden basieren grundsätzlich auf physikalischen Modellen und frei zugänglichen Datenblattangaben der Komponenten, die v. a. Energiespeicher, Wechselrichter, Elektromotor und Getriebe umfassen. Mithilfe dieser Methoden lässt sich der energetische Vergleich der zahlreichen Antriebskonfigurationen ohne großen Zeitaufwand durchführen. Die Ergebnisse führen schließlich zu einem informativen Auswahldiagramm, mit welchem aussagekräftige Prognosen zu den energieeffizienten Konfigurationen für beliebige Fahrprofile getroffen werden. / Optimal powertrain configurations develop only through the specific combination of individual powertrain components during the project planning phase of an electric vehicle. In order to identify the technically beneficial design correlations, a systematic investigation of the degrees of freedom in the powertrain design is necessary. The degrees of freedom arise primarily from the selection of design parameters, component types, and drive topologies. This article shows how energy-efficient powertrain configurations of electric vehicles can be identified at an early stage of development using analytical methods. These methods are based on physical models and freely available component data sheets. The components include a battery, inverter, electric motor, and gearbox. With these methods, the energy efficiency of various powertrain configurations can be evaluated quickly. The evaluation leads to an informative selection diagram, which allows forecasting energy-efficient configurations for different driving profiles.