As digital interactions become increasingly integral to our daily routines, ensuring web accessibility for all users is crucial. User experience designers play a big role in creating online environments that are not only usable, but also informative and enjoyable. The European Accessibility Act is a new directive from the European Union, stating that certain products and services must be accessible by 2025, benefiting an estimated 87 million Europeans who have disabilities or temporary impairments. Previous research on Swedish websites has found that requirements are often not fulfilled when it comes to accessibility. This thesis investigated current accessibility practices among Swedish user experience (UX) designers and evaluated their preparedness for compliance with the European Accessibility Act. The results of the interviews show that the Act provides several motivating factors for improving accessibility measures in organizations. Through expert evaluations of the design practices, a set of guidelines is presented, aimed at providing guidance for companies and designers in creating an inclusive design culture while complying with the Act.

Através de uma percepção interdisciplinar, a pesquisa apresenta um quadro de contribuição para a teoria da arquitetura contemporânea que analisa relações entre conceitos, processos e representações. O trabalho investiga processos de projeto presentes na arquitetura contemporânea a partir da assimilação de três conceitos-chave: 1) diagrama, 2) dobra e 3) parâmetro; e as correspondentes traduções na arquitetura, através dos discursos e práticas de arquitetos. A pesquisa insere-se no âmbito da teoria e crítica do projeto de arquitetura e o recorte histórico está situado entre a década de 1970 até o momento, examinando as expressões projetuais e teorias de arquitetos como Peter Eisenman, Greg Lynn, Patrik Schumacher (Zaha Hadid and partners), entre outros. O problema da pesquisa é identificar de que modo o caráter conceitual experimentado pelos processos de projeto no primeiro período do recorte diagrama -, passou a intermediar uma base teórica paralela ao avanço do uso digital dobra e se modificou, no terceiro período, para enfatizar discursivamente os processos e a manipulação formal permitida pelas técnicas e tecnologias digitais avançadas parâmetro. Os objetivos são compreender os elementos dessa transição, traçar paralelismos e diferenças entre os processos, compreendendo que a história desses entrelaçamentos não é linear e cumulativa, mas atravessada por recorrências e reapropriações. Os autores foram escolhidos devido a sua produção teórica e inserção no debate internacional para os temas escolhidos, por compartilharem a absorção de teorias advindas do pós-estruturalismo de base filosófica - principalmente de Gilles Deleuze -, além de estabelecerem uma atividade projetual de caráter experimental, que permitiu à pesquisa a análise de diversos estudos de caso. / Through an interdisciplinary perception, the research presents a contribution framework for the theory of contemporary architecture that examines some relations between concepts, processes and representations. The work investigates design processes present in contemporary architecture from the assimilation of three key concepts: 1) diagram 2) fold and 3) parameter; and corresponding translations in architecture through the discourses and practices of architects. The research falls within the sphere of the theory and criticism of architecture design and the historical period is set between the 1970s up to now, examining the projective expressions and theories of architects such as Peter Eisenman, Greg Lynn, Patrik Schumacher (Zaha Hadid and partners), among others. The problem of research is to identify how the conceptual nature experienced by design processes in the first period of study - diagram - began to intermediate a parallel theoretical basis for the advancement of digital use - fold - and changed in a third period to emphasize discursively processes and formal manipulation allowed by the technical and advanced digital technologies - parameter. The objectives are understand the elements of this transition, draw parallels and differences between the processes, understanding that the history of these entanglements is not linear and cumulative, but crossed by recurrences and reappropriations. The authors were chosen due to their theoretical production and insertion in the international debate on the topics chosen, for sharing the assimilation of theories stemming from the philosophical basis of post-structuralism - especially from Gilles Deleuze - as well as established a design activity of experimental features, which allowed the analysis of several case studies.

A pesquisa visa a estudar as inter-relações1 entre os processos de projeto da arquitetura contemporânea, mediados por tecnologia computacional, e os processos da biologia, com o olhar sob os conceitos da ecologia, apoiados na teoria dos sistemas e na cibernética. As análises pretendem relacionar questões de âmbitos teórico e prático, dentro da observação dos processos de projeto, por meio das seguintes etapas: 1. Introdução e compreensão das atuais mudanças de paradigma nas áreas da biologia, ecologia e ciência da computação, que influenciam diretamente os modos de produção de informação nos processos de projeto digital em arquitetura; 2. Reflexões sobre a teoria da cibernética e sistemas complexos como costuradores dos processos biológicos aos processos de projeto de arquitetura, com implicações em emergência e inovação em arquitetura e 3. Análises práticas da integração de processos de projeto e produção digitais recorrentes das interrelações da arquitetura com a biologia. / The research aims to study the interrelationship between the contemporary architecture design processes, mediated by computer technology and the biology processes, with a view under the concepts of ecology, supported on system theory and cybernetics. The analyzes aim to relate issues on the spheres of theory and practice, within the observation of design processes, through the following steps: 1. Introduction and understanding of the current paradigm shifts in biology, ecology and computer science, which directly holds the modes of producing information in architecture digital design processes; 2. Thoughts on cybernetic theory and complex systems like links between biological processes and architectural design processes, with implications in emergence and innovation in architecture 3. Analyses of study cases about design processes and digital production integration recurrent from the interrelationship between architecture and biology.

The Salvation Army, a non-profit Christian Church and social service enterprise, struggles as all corporations do, with expending limited resources in the most efficient and effective manner. The Salvation Army has been recognized as a corporate leader in effectively managing administrative and programmatic resources and generating positive results in their programs designed for the benefit of society and the community of mankind as a whole. This document focuses on whether The Salvation Armys practices concerning the design, construction, and operation of facilities warrants the same praise regarding efficiencies and effectiveness. The contents of this thesis are an evaluation of, and recommendations for, the design and construction processes used by The Salvation Armys Corporate Headquarters to construct and operate Salvation Army Corps Community Centers throughout the southeastern United States. The primary objectives were to analyze the current design and construction processes, develop a prototype design, and determine through quantitative research if standardization of the design is cost effective, programmatically functional, superior in terms of constructability, maintainability, sustainability, and if and how a standard model should be implemented. The methodology used to produce this thesis included a comprehensive review of relevant literature concerning current industry standards regarding design and construction to develop an understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of standardized design. Personal interviews with architects and directors of similar facilities were conducted to gain a thorough knowledge of the concept of standardization. A survey was distributed to internal personnel involved in the design, construction, and operations of Salvation Army Corps Community Centers. The survey was used to determine the experience, expertise, and limitations of those individuals and how the internal population views and implements current processes, as well as their opinion of standardization. In concert with a standard design, an integrated operations, maintenance, capital renewal plan, and emergency plan concept is discussed, produced, and incorporated into an actual constructed model. An implementation plan for each of the components mentioned above is also provided. The information gleaned from the research indicated that process improvement was warranted and that a standardized design could effectively jump start the design process which would ultimately result in cost savings, production of a programmatically functional facility that is cost effectively maintained, built from sustainable products, and incorporates an operations, maintenance and capital renewal plan as well. While the research conducted supports the implementation of a standardized design, operations, and capital renewal plan, further research will be conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the implemented program. By studying the constructed model, adjustments can be made in the process and practice to further improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the standardized design process, operations, maintenance, and capital renewal plan.

Através de uma percepção interdisciplinar, a pesquisa apresenta um quadro de contribuição para a teoria da arquitetura contemporânea que analisa relações entre conceitos, processos e representações. O trabalho investiga processos de projeto presentes na arquitetura contemporânea a partir da assimilação de três conceitos-chave: 1) diagrama, 2) dobra e 3) parâmetro; e as correspondentes traduções na arquitetura, através dos discursos e práticas de arquitetos. A pesquisa insere-se no âmbito da teoria e crítica do projeto de arquitetura e o recorte histórico está situado entre a década de 1970 até o momento, examinando as expressões projetuais e teorias de arquitetos como Peter Eisenman, Greg Lynn, Patrik Schumacher (Zaha Hadid and partners), entre outros. O problema da pesquisa é identificar de que modo o caráter conceitual experimentado pelos processos de projeto no primeiro período do recorte diagrama -, passou a intermediar uma base teórica paralela ao avanço do uso digital dobra e se modificou, no terceiro período, para enfatizar discursivamente os processos e a manipulação formal permitida pelas técnicas e tecnologias digitais avançadas parâmetro. Os objetivos são compreender os elementos dessa transição, traçar paralelismos e diferenças entre os processos, compreendendo que a história desses entrelaçamentos não é linear e cumulativa, mas atravessada por recorrências e reapropriações. Os autores foram escolhidos devido a sua produção teórica e inserção no debate internacional para os temas escolhidos, por compartilharem a absorção de teorias advindas do pós-estruturalismo de base filosófica - principalmente de Gilles Deleuze -, além de estabelecerem uma atividade projetual de caráter experimental, que permitiu à pesquisa a análise de diversos estudos de caso. / Through an interdisciplinary perception, the research presents a contribution framework for the theory of contemporary architecture that examines some relations between concepts, processes and representations. The work investigates design processes present in contemporary architecture from the assimilation of three key concepts: 1) diagram 2) fold and 3) parameter; and corresponding translations in architecture through the discourses and practices of architects. The research falls within the sphere of the theory and criticism of architecture design and the historical period is set between the 1970s up to now, examining the projective expressions and theories of architects such as Peter Eisenman, Greg Lynn, Patrik Schumacher (Zaha Hadid and partners), among others. The problem of research is to identify how the conceptual nature experienced by design processes in the first period of study - diagram - began to intermediate a parallel theoretical basis for the advancement of digital use - fold - and changed in a third period to emphasize discursively processes and formal manipulation allowed by the technical and advanced digital technologies - parameter. The objectives are understand the elements of this transition, draw parallels and differences between the processes, understanding that the history of these entanglements is not linear and cumulative, but crossed by recurrences and reappropriations. The authors were chosen due to their theoretical production and insertion in the international debate on the topics chosen, for sharing the assimilation of theories stemming from the philosophical basis of post-structuralism - especially from Gilles Deleuze - as well as established a design activity of experimental features, which allowed the analysis of several case studies.

A pesquisa visa a estudar as inter-relações1 entre os processos de projeto da arquitetura contemporânea, mediados por tecnologia computacional, e os processos da biologia, com o olhar sob os conceitos da ecologia, apoiados na teoria dos sistemas e na cibernética. As análises pretendem relacionar questões de âmbitos teórico e prático, dentro da observação dos processos de projeto, por meio das seguintes etapas: 1. Introdução e compreensão das atuais mudanças de paradigma nas áreas da biologia, ecologia e ciência da computação, que influenciam diretamente os modos de produção de informação nos processos de projeto digital em arquitetura; 2. Reflexões sobre a teoria da cibernética e sistemas complexos como costuradores dos processos biológicos aos processos de projeto de arquitetura, com implicações em emergência e inovação em arquitetura e 3. Análises práticas da integração de processos de projeto e produção digitais recorrentes das interrelações da arquitetura com a biologia. / The research aims to study the interrelationship between the contemporary architecture design processes, mediated by computer technology and the biology processes, with a view under the concepts of ecology, supported on system theory and cybernetics. The analyzes aim to relate issues on the spheres of theory and practice, within the observation of design processes, through the following steps: 1. Introduction and understanding of the current paradigm shifts in biology, ecology and computer science, which directly holds the modes of producing information in architecture digital design processes; 2. Thoughts on cybernetic theory and complex systems like links between biological processes and architectural design processes, with implications in emergence and innovation in architecture 3. Analyses of study cases about design processes and digital production integration recurrent from the interrelationship between architecture and biology.

Aus Punkt 1: "Warum lohnt sich Semiotik gerade im Bereich Usability und Design? Mehr noch, die Semiotik als übergreifende Perspektive ist hier gar nicht zu vermeiden. (Vermeidbar ist allenfalls der Soziolekt bzw. Technolekt der akademischen Semiotik, nicht aber ein semiotisches Arbeiten selbst.) Das Denken vieler Designer ist eher visuell geprägt. Diese Ausrichtung auf non-verbale Formen und Handlungen scheint der Semiotik entgegen zu stehen. Die Semiotik hat zwar eine starke Tradition in der Linguistik, aber diese stellt nur eine von mehreren gleichwertigen Zugängen dar: Man denke etwa an die Medizin (wo visuelle und sonstige Symptome als Zeichen gedeutet werden), an die Malerei (wo es Repräsentationen für ästhetische, soziale und politische Entsprechungen gibt), an die Gestik (wo jede kleinere oder größere Bewegung eines Muskels mit Bedeutungen verknüpft ist) oder an die Musik (wo sehr abstrakte Tonfolgen mit emotionaler Dynamik verbunden sind) – dazu etwa Eco (2002), Nöth (2000), Hucklenbroich (2003), Mazzola (2003) sowie Grammer (2004). ..."

Um entsprechend des Konferenzanliegens über ein Gleichgewicht zwischen Ressourcen, Umwelt und fair verteiltem Wohlstand nachzudenken, untersucht dieser Vortrag die Logiken der Commons als eine gemeinwohlorientierte Alternative und Ergänzung zu gewinnlogikorientierten Wirtschafts- und Produktionsweisen aus der Perspektive des Designs. Grundlage sind die Erkenntnisse aus dem Forschungsprojekt „Commons als Denkweise und Innovationsstrategie im Design. Von der Avantgarde zum neuen Industrieparadigma?“, welches von einer inter-disziplinären Forscher:innengruppe rund um das Institute of Design Research Vienna (IDRV)* durchgeführt wurde.

<p dir="ltr"><a href="" target="_blank">Almost every case of cervical cancer in the United States is medically preventable with vaccination and proper screening, yet many Americans are insufficiently screened. Over 12 thousand American women suffered from cervical cancer in 2018</a>¹ causing 4 thousand deaths, with over a third in women who had never received a routine screening test².</p><p dir="ltr">New, sensitive testing techniques for cervical cancer screening are facilitating HPV testing without evaluating the cells collected in the sample by eye. This opens the door to new, accessible methods of screening such as rapid testing in clinic and at home, self-sampling, and mail-in testing. As cervical cancer morbidity and mortality is largely a result of healthcare inequities, these methods may have a significant impact on cervical cancer outcomes.</p><p dir="ltr">The goal of this project is to create a proof-of-concept, sample-to-answer rapid test to be used for cervical cancer screening in Indiana outpatient clinics. We began the project by conducting interviews and a survey to explore Indiana clinician perspectives on cervical screening methods such as self-sampling, rapid testing, and home-based screening. Clinicians preferred in-clinic testing with same-visit results, in the hopes that face-to-face explanation of results and scheduling follow-up care in person would improve patient retention for these important follow-up tests. To create such a test, we augmented an isothermal nucleic acid amplification method that copies 13 of the 14 high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) types with an endogenous b-globin sample control and a simple colorimetric lateral flow strip (LFS) readout. When tested with HPV 16 the assay achieved a limit of detection of 1000 HPV copies per reaction, which would detect endocervical samples deemed ‘sufficient’ by clinical guidelines. It also performs in endocervical cells using methods and equipment that could be implemented in an outpatient clinic. The final test accepts swabs or brushes of endocervical cells, lyses them in 5 minutes, copies the target DNA and a sample adequacy control, and delivers the readout within 40 minutes on an LFS readout. Future directions for this assay include soliciting feedback from clinicians and other stakeholders about the prototype developed, adapting the assay to interferents of clinical endocervical samples, and adding probes for other HPV types, such as HPV 18 and eventually the other hrHPV types.</p>

The complexity in multiscale systems design is significantly greater than in conventional systems because in addition to interactions between components, couplings between physical phenomena and scales are also important. This complexity amplifies two design challenges: a) complexity of coupled simulation models prohibits design space exploration, and b) unavailability of complete simulation models that capture all the interactions. Hence, the challenge in design of multiscale systems lies in managing this complexity and utilizing the available simulation models and information in an efficient manner to support effective decision-making. In order to address this challenge, our primary hypothesis is that the information and computational resources can be utilized in an efficient manner by designing design-processes (meta-design) along with the products. The primary hypothesis is embodied in this dissertation as a framework for integrated design of products and design processes. The framework consists of three components 1) a Robust Multiscale Design Exploration Method (RMS-DEM), 2) information-economics based metrics and methods for simplification of complex design processes and refinement of simulation models, and 3) an information modeling strategy for implementation of the theoretical framework into a computational environment. The framework is validated using the validation-square approach that consists of theoretical and empirical validation. Empirical validation of the framework is carried out using various examples including: pressure vessel design, datacenter cooling system design, linear cellular alloy design, and multifunctional energetic structural materials design. The contributions from this dissertation are categorized in three research domains: a) multiscale design methodology, b) materials design, and c) computer-based support for collaborative, simulation-based multiscale design. In the domain of design methodology, new methods and metrics are developed for integrating the design of products and design processes. The methods and metrics are applied in the field of materials design to develop design-processes and specifications for Multifunctional Energetic Structural Materials. In the domain of computer-based support for design, an information modeling strategy is developed to provide computational support for meta-design. Although the framework is developed in the context of multiscale systems it is equally applicable to design of any other complex system.