Thesis (M.S.)--Rochester Institute of Technology, 1987. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaf 55).

Designers of mass produced products require knowledge about anticipated users of their designs in order to make reasonable predictions about how users will interact with a product and how that product will satisfy users??? needs. However, there is little reported study of how industrial designers get the information they need about users, or to what extent they adapt and use information available from fields of study such as ergonomics or market research. Study in this area is important, in order to have a knowledge base that will support development of methods and data sources that may help designers and others bring a better understanding of users into the product design process. In this study, group interviews and a questionnaire were used to ask industrial designers how and where they get information about users, and about their perceptions of the role and value of user research in design. The group discussions involved a total of 45 participants from nine companies in Sydney. A questionnaire that followed was completed by 35 respondents representing at least 15 different design consultancy companies throughout Australia. Results showed that the designers surveyed used many of the methods promoted in the literature of ergonomics, design and market research, but often in a cut-down form. For example, there was widespread use of work colleagues and family members as test subjects. Designers used quantitative information where it was applicable but often sought qualitative information that would provide insights or enable them to develop empathic understanding of the users. Time and cost constraints limited the extent to which designers could engage in user research activity but there was general agreement that user research was a necessary part of design and that in the future designers will require a stronger capability in user research. Further research could focus on the evaluation of user research methods used in design and the potential for further collaboration between designers and other specialists in this area.

Designers of mass produced products require knowledge about anticipated users of their designs in order to make reasonable predictions about how users will interact with a product and how that product will satisfy users??? needs. However, there is little reported study of how industrial designers get the information they need about users, or to what extent they adapt and use information available from fields of study such as ergonomics or market research. Study in this area is important, in order to have a knowledge base that will support development of methods and data sources that may help designers and others bring a better understanding of users into the product design process. In this study, group interviews and a questionnaire were used to ask industrial designers how and where they get information about users, and about their perceptions of the role and value of user research in design. The group discussions involved a total of 45 participants from nine companies in Sydney. A questionnaire that followed was completed by 35 respondents representing at least 15 different design consultancy companies throughout Australia. Results showed that the designers surveyed used many of the methods promoted in the literature of ergonomics, design and market research, but often in a cut-down form. For example, there was widespread use of work colleagues and family members as test subjects. Designers used quantitative information where it was applicable but often sought qualitative information that would provide insights or enable them to develop empathic understanding of the users. Time and cost constraints limited the extent to which designers could engage in user research activity but there was general agreement that user research was a necessary part of design and that in the future designers will require a stronger capability in user research. Further research could focus on the evaluation of user research methods used in design and the potential for further collaboration between designers and other specialists in this area.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1970. / Typescript. Vita. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

While enjoying a passion for outdoor related sports, I had taken an interest in the equipment I used while hunting and fishing. I was fascinated by the precision of the instruments I used to optimize my time spent in the field. This curiosity led to some preliminary designs to further enhance my outings. The joy I received from these projects led me to pursue industrial design as a profession. As a student, I chose to design a product that related to the fishing industry. I selected to design a fly reel for its links to other fishing reels and man's interaction with water. This required a critical analysis of current fly reels and how to enhance its current design. To accomplish this I modified select mechanical elements of the reel. This involved, in some instances, new materials and incorporating different processes to achieve my goal. The innovations I incorporated allowed the reel to be used while fishing for a wider spectrum of fish than the typical fly reel. This flexibility reduces the need to purchase additional reels to pursue different size fish. This has the potential to provide a savings to the consumer and encourage them to fish for a species of fish they would otherwise neglect. In addition to my primary objective, I want to contribute a product that will be an asset to the fishing industry with attention to aesthetics, affordability and ease of use. / Master of Science

published_or_final_version / Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

published_or_final_version / Mechanical Engineering / Master / Master of Philosophy