The User Experience (UX) has become a major concern for the design of consumer products. Today exist various tools for the evaluation of static properties of final products on their User Experience value. However, very few tools and methods are available that allow anticipating the future User Experience during the first stages of product conception. This thesis explores the wide range of design dimensions that potentially form the experience of the user. Dynamic product properties emerge as an important factor for User Experience. In the studies a software based on inspiration words and links, as well as the technique body storming are tested as a new means of User Experience generation. The produced early concepts and interaction gestures are then evaluated through a combination of questionnaires, behavioural and physiological measurements. The study results show firstly that a wide range of design dimension needs to be regarded to design for User Experience, secondly that it is possible to apply UX evaluations on early concepts and thirdly that UX evaluations can also be done on dynamic properties like interaction gestures. This thesis furthermore contributes design research and practice with a new model on the mechanism of User Experience and a list of design dimensions for early product conception.

In the last decades, the rapid change and prevalent use of technology are concerning, as they induced effects which mainly altered various encompassing contexts like consumer market dynamics and product development processes. Evidently, these transformations also affect the way users interact with products. It is observed that, technological novelties are applied in the competitive market as a tool for product differentiation. In addition, the rapid development of these technologies is a dominating factor on shortening product lifecycles. Resulting from these two factors, implementing latest technologies in new products is interpreted by producers as an absolute way of achieving market success. Consequently, most of the products in everyday life are designed with a primary aim to implement latest technological advances, without appropriate consideration of user requirements and characteristics. The phenomenon has negative consequences on product usability. This study basically examines the usability problems that are related with digital technology impelementations in consumer products. The evaluations are based on the contexts such as: changes in contemporary market conditions with the effects of the recent technological developments, technology-driven approaches in product development processes and the transformative consequences of digital technology applications on user-product interaction. Literature surveys are employed as method. Finally, interaction characteristics of digital products and the contexts in which they are used are evaluated and it is argued that, the usability problems are due to the deficiency in evaluations of user characteristics and requirements during the product development processes, in general terms.

New media offer new ways for communication and production. This study aims to explore possible outcomes of the review of the new media literature for a contribution to the field of product design. Examining new media in a descriptive manner, the study presents its basic principles and characteristics. Relevant parts of new media and product design literature are reviewed in order to locate possible connections and/or exchanges between major concepts used in these fields. The two focal points of the study are the transformations that have taken place in (1) userproduct communication and (2) design and production media, resulting from the emergence of new media technologies.

This study argues that including aspects of user experience relevant to the user's knowledge of a product's context-of-use in the early stages of product design can enhance the design of product usability. To explore these issues, research was undertaken to respond to three research questions: (i) What aspects of user experience influence people's understanding of product usability? (ii) What is the nature of the differences between users' and designers' understandings of product usability? (iii) How can context-of-use and human experience enhance the design of product usability? Findings from the study have shown that experience, context-of-use and knowledge about a product's usability are interrelated. Conceptual principles and design principles were established based on findings to explain (i) the relationships between aspects of experience and areas of product usability and (ii) differences between designers' and users' concepts of product usability. These principles responded to the first two research questions. Causal relationships found between experience and product usability suggested the need to implement them in an accessible manner for a product design process. A design tool -- named the Experience and Context Enquiry Design Tool (ECEDT) -- was devised to exemplify the implementation of findings. A trial run verified that the type of information that ECEDT brings to designers could assist them to address usability and experience issues during the early stages of the design process. This result responded to the third research question of the study. This study's conceptual principles and design principles contribute new knowledge to design theory and practice. This knowledge contributes to design theory in providing greater detail about the differences between designers and users than that addressed by existing theory; it contributes to design practice as it informs designers about the aspects of human experience that prompt users' understanding of a product's use. In doing so, it can potentially assist in the design of products that embed new technological applications, and support the design of product usability.

Submitted by Johnny Rodrigues (johnnyrodrigues@ufcg.edu.br) on 2018-06-11T14:24:42Z No. of bitstreams: 1 ABRAÃO GOMES LACERDA CAVALCANTE - DISSERTAÇÃO PPGDesign 2017..pdf: 15119625 bytes, checksum: 9ae19c3bce19c622f989ee8f8b5ffa3c (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-06-11T14:24:42Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 ABRAÃO GOMES LACERDA CAVALCANTE - DISSERTAÇÃO PPGDesign 2017..pdf: 15119625 bytes, checksum: 9ae19c3bce19c622f989ee8f8b5ffa3c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-06-26 / Capes / Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo investigar e caracterizar as interpretações de usuários masculinos sobre o sapato clássico masculino, principalmente no que se refere aos significados e como estão expressos nos atributos físicos e visuais do produto, focando principalmente nos valores simbólicos e emocionais. A metodologia utilizada está fundamentada no raciocínio indutivo e caracteriza-se por ser exploratória. A coleta de dados foi executada em duas fases subsequentes com a aplicação de um questionário estruturado e entrevista; na primeira fase, foram investigados os significados e classificados segundo o modelo da Interação Significante (IS); na segunda fase, investigou-se como os significados expressos nos atributos físicos e visuais do produto. Dez sapatos com modelos distintos foram apresentados para apreciação e análise de participantes voluntários. Os resultados da fase 1 mostram que ao todo foram identificados 171 valores semânticos expressos pelos participantes que qualificam os sapatos. Deste total, 65% correspondem à dimensão simbólica e emocional, e 35% correspondem à dimensão pragmática. O estudo conclui que a carga simbólica do produto estudado desperta mais associações relacionadas à memória afetiva, da tradição e dos valores culturais dos usuários que são projetados nos produtos, que suas qualidades pragmáticas. Além disso, a pesquisa revela que as correlações entre significados e atributos do produto concentram-se principalmente na forma, material e na cor do sapato, respectivamente. / This research aimed to investigate and characterize the male interpretations of the classic male shoe, mainly regarding the meanings and how they are expressed in the physical and visual attributes of the product, focusing mainly on symbolic and emotional values. The methodology used is based on inductive reasoning and is characterized by being exploratory. Data collection was performed in two subsequent phases with the application of a structured questionnaire and interview; in the first phase, the meanings were signified and classified according to the Meaningful Interaction (MI) model; in the second phase, we investigated how the meanings are expressed in the physical and visual attributes of the product. Ten shoes with distinct models were presented for the evaluation and analysis of volunteer participants. The results of phase 1 show that in all, 171 semantic values were expressed by the participants who qualify the shoes. Of this total, 65% correspond to the symbolic and emotional dimension, and 35% correspond to the pragmatic dimension. The study concludes that the symbolic load of the studied product awakens more associations related to affective memory, tradition and the cultural values of the users that are projected in the products, than their pragmatic qualities. In addition, the research reveals that correlations between meanings and attributes of the product are mainly focused on the shape, material and the color of the shoe, respectively.

Consciente que l’unité de compétitivité n’est plus l’entreprise mais toute la chaîne logistique contribuant à la réalisation du produit, les efforts consentis par l’entreprise se matérialisent, d’une part, par la volonté de maîtriser au mieux les activités de conception des produits et d’autre part, par la construction de collaborations entre tous les acteurs de la chaîne logistique participant au cycle de vie du produit. Cela a conduit à l’émergence d’une gestion collaborative du cycle de vie du produit appelée communément PLM. L’objet de cette thèse consiste à définir une démarche méthodologique pour répondre à la problématique suivante : Comment le PLM pourra t-il participer à l’optimisation de la chaîne logistique ? Nous adoptons, dans cette thèse, une approche hybride combinant PLM et modèles mathématiques pour optimiser les décisions de conception simultanée du produit et de sa chaîne logistique. Nous proposons des modèles conceptuels pour résoudre de manière formelle le compromis entre PLM et modèles mathématiques pour une optimisation de la chaîne logistique. Contrairement aux approches classiques centralisées utilisées pour traiter le problème intégré de conception du produit et de sa chaîne logistique et qui engendrent des modèles mathématiques compliqués, nous adoptons une démarche couplant des décisions centralisées quand il s’agit d’intégrer les contraintes des différents maillons de la chaîne logistique et une approche décentralisée quand il s’agit d’optimiser localement chaque maillon de la chaîne. Le mode décentralisé réduit la complexité de résolution des modèles mathématiques et permet à la chaîne logistique de répondre rapidement à l’évolution des conditions locales de chaque maillon. Le PLM joue le rôle d’intégrateur. En effet, le regroupement centralisé des informations par le PLM permet de prendre en considération la dépendance entre les maillons améliorant ainsi les résultats obtenus par optimisation locale. / AIt is recognized that competition is shifting from “firm versus firm” perspective to “supply chain versus supply chain” perspective. Therefore, the ability to optimize the supply chain is becoming the critical issue for companies to win the competitive advantage. Furthermore, all members of a given supply chain must work together to respond to the changes of market demand rapidly. In the actual context, enterprises not only must enhance their relationships with each others, but also need to integrate their business processes through product life cycle activities. This has led to the emergence of a collaborative product lifecycle management commonly known as PLM. The objective of this thesis is to define a methodological approach which answers to the following problematic: How can PLM contribute to supply chain optimization ? We adopt, in this thesis, a hybrid approach combining PLM and mathematical models to optimize decisions for simultaneous design of the product and its supply chain. We propose conceptual models to solve formally the compromise between PLM and mathematical models for supply chain optimization. Unlike traditional centralized approaches used to treat the problem of integrated design of the product and its supply chain which generate complex mathematical models, we adopt an approach combining centralized decisions while integrating the constraints of the different supply chain partners during the product design and decentralized decisions when it comes to locally optimize each supply chain partner. The decentralized approach reduces the complexity of solving mathematical models and allows the supply chain to respond quickly to the evolution of local conditions of each partner. PLM will assure the integration of the different supply chain partners. Indeed, the information centralization by the PLM enables to take into consideration the dependence between these partners, improving therefore local optimization results.

Tecnologia Assistiva é o termo atualmente utilizado para definir uma enorme variedade de produtos e serviços destinados a pessoas com deficiências. O design de produto de equipamentos de tecnologias assistivas segue diferentes rotas tecnológicas, com produtos fabricados em série ou personalizados. Tais equipamentos objetivam otimizar e potencializar as funções corporais alteradas e, com isso, reconduzir essas pessoas às mais variadas atividades sociais. Neste sentido, esta pesquisa teve como proposta contribuir na construção de novas rotas tecnológicas para a fabricação de assentos e encostos personalizados para pessoas deficientes e usuários cadeira de rodas. A metodologia conceitual incluiu nesta pesquisa as ferramentas de digitalização tridimensional, usinagem CNC e termografia para realizar medidas e analisar os assentos e encostos personalizados fabricados a partir de dados antropométricos individualizados. Os protótipos projetados, fabricados e sistematicamente testados geraram resultados indicativos de que os modelos personalizados propostos são válidos, visto que agregam diferenciais como; uma maior distribuição das cargas, e também pela distribuição das temperaturas corporais obtidas pelas superfícies e contornos reproduzidos pelos equipamentos segundo a anatomia de cada pessoa estudada. Assim, as principais contribuições deste estudo estão na otimização e simplificação do processo de fabricação, e no baixo custo das matérias primas utilizadas na pesquisa. Finalmente, os resultados indicam que os produtos obtidos, assentos personalizados, podem beneficiar inúmeras pessoas deficientes, mesmo que apresentem uma anatomia diferenciada, sobretudo os cadeirantes por passarem vários períodos sentados, e esta tecnologia assistiva possibilita a redução dos riscos de lesões teciduais por aumentarem a área de contato, e assim distribui com eficácia a temperatura e peso corporal. / Assistive technology is the currently used term to define a wide range of services and products aimed at disabled persons. Design for assistive technology devices is seen in two different technology pathways, with serial and personalized products. These devices seek to optimize impaired body functions and, thus, reinsert these persons in various social activities. This study aims to contribute to the construction of new technology ruts for the production of personalized seats and backrests for wheelchairs. The methodology includes the application of the concepts of three-dimensional digitalization, CNC Machining, and thermography in order to create and analyze personalized seats and backrests produced from individualized anthropometric data. The results obtained show that the proposed models are valid, because they permit a wider distribution of bodily weight and temperature through the outlines inserted in the equipments according to each person’s anatomy. The greatest contribution of this study is its simplicity of production and the low cost of materials used in the research, which may benefit numerous wheelchair users who present unique anatomies, reducing the risks of tissue lesions by enlarging the area of contact, which results in a more effective distribution of bodily temperature and weight.

O estudo a seguir mostra como a arqueologia industrial pode ser utilizada para resgatar ícones, mais especificamente, de Design. Esta dissertação aborda, especificamente, o caso do Design de móveis, num período compreendido entre as décadas de 40 a 80. Trata-se de todo o histórico, desde o nascimento da idéia, sua implantação no mercado e venda da empresa de mobiliário para escritório das linhas MaGnalínea e MaGnaspazio, que acabaram por se tornar os carros chefe da empresa Manlio Gobbi & Cia Ltda. A empresa veio a se tornar líder do mercado no Rio Grande do Sul a mercê do Design diferenciado de seus produtos e da seriedade da política de marketing, pois se tratava de um produto honesto, transparente e de uma modulação inusitada, no qual havia se conseguido a eliminação do supérfluo em prol da utilização de formas simples, num conceito totalmente inovador para a área de móveis para escritórios. Tal conceito agradou plenamente aos seus usuários, transformando-se num verdadeiro ícone e é utilizado largamente até os dias de hoje. Nesta dissertação é feita uma apreciação profunda do Cenário específico e até político da época. Perpassa-se também a realidade histórica da área moveleira, bem como conceitos dos mais variados que auxiliaram na consecução do projeto. A arqueologia industrial realizada neste estudo possibilitou o entendimento do êxito obtido pela empresa, através de características como diferenciação na padronagem de cores, versatilidade dos móveis (possibilitando ao usuário montar diferentes combinações), utilização de diferentes espécies de madeira e de peças nobres (como madeira mássica, alumínio, cubos em zamac). Além disso, é mostrado como surgiu e se desenvolveu a idéia inovadora que acabou por transformar a empresa num verdadeiro núcleo de inovações, devido ao fato do grupo de trabalho ser altamente categorizado e entusiasmado com a repercussão positiva de seu trabalho.Como resultado são gerados subsídios importantes para contribuir com a moderna ciência que trata da Arqueologia Industrial. / The project, described below in all its particulars to assess the possibility of developing a product that actually had a promising impact in the decades of 70/80/90. This is all history from the birth of the idea until its market presence, product MaGnalínea and MaGnaspazio, which eventually became the head of the company cars Manlio Gobbi & Cia Ltda. The company went on to become the market leader in Rio Grande do Sul Design mercy of differentiated products and the seriousness of the marketing policy, because it was an honest product, transparent and an unusual modulation, which had achieved the elimination of the superfluous, in a completely new concept for the area of office furniture, a concept that fully pleased its users, becoming a true icon. The project is made a thorough examination of the specific scenario and even political season, it is shown how it emerged and developed the innovative ideas that have transformed the company into a real core of innovation, because the working group was categorized and highly enthusiastic about the positive impact of their work. It covers also the historical reality of the furniture area, as well as a variety of concepts that helped in achieving the project. As a result, are generated substantial subsidies to contribute to modern science that deals with the Industrial Archeology.

Este trabalho tem por objetivo sistematizar alguns princípios de solução da natureza através da elaboração de uma taxonomia. Essa taxonomia pode ser utilizada como embasamento para a construção de ferramenta para o processo de projeto, cuja função é apoiar o designer na geração de alternativas durante a fase conceitual do design de produto. Para a consecução do trabalho foram investigadas três áreas do conhecimento: o processo de desenvolvimento de produto, com ênfase na fase conceitual e nos métodos criativos; os princípios de solução da natureza através de referências da biologia, da matemática e da biomimética; e a teoria da classificação, investigada com o objetivo de compreender uma metodologia adequada à organização do conhecimento na área proposta. O processo de intervenção foi realizado em conformidade com as metodologias levantadas no referencial teórico, oportunizando a elaboração da taxonomia dos princípios de solução da natureza. A sistematização do conhecimento realizada permitiu a proposição de uma ferramenta de aplicação direta ao designer para a geração de alternativas para o projeto de produto. / This paper`s aim is to systematize some of the solution principles of nature by developing a taxonomy. This system will be the basis for building a tool for de project process, which function is to help the designer when creating alternatives during the conceptual phase of product design. Three areas of knowledge were investigated: the process of product development, with emphasis on the conceptual phase and creative methods; biology, mathematics and biomimicry to understand nature`s best design; the theory of classification, studied to understand a methodology for the organization of knowledge in the proposed area. The process was conducted according to methods raised in the theoretical framework, allowing the solution principles of nature taxonomy to develop. The systematization of the knowledge acquired allowed the proposition of a new tool for direct application in creating alternatives on product design.

Membros de uma equipe de projeto de design de produto necessitam comunicar entre si para gerar novas soluções para os problemas de projeto. O desenho pode contribuir para a reflexão, comunicação e apresentação de ideias desta equipe sendo uma ferramenta de comunicação e de exteriorização dos processos mentais desenvolvidos pelo designer nas fases de concepção. Neste contexto, o presente trabalho apresenta uma proposta de abordagem metodológica para o ensino de desenho aplicado ao processo criativo em equipe de projeto de produto. Ao termino desta pesquisa objetivou-se a apresentação de uma abordagem metodológica obtida através da triangulação dos dados da pesquisa bibliográfica, pesquisa documental de desenhos de alunos em disciplinas de projeto, e entrevistas com professores de design de produto. A metodologia desenvolvida foi avaliada qualitativamente através de uma pesquisa-ação com alunos de graduação em design de produto da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul. Os resultados qualitativos desta pesquisa permitiram a construção de um material de ensino de desenho que aplique os conhecimentos de representação gráfica juntamente às técnicas criativas no processo criativo dentro do processo de desenvolvimento de produto. / Members of a product design Project team need to communicate with each other to generate new solutions to design problems. Drawing can contribute to the reflection, communication and presentation of ideas to the team, being a communicative tool and a externalization of mental processes developed by the designer in the design stages. In this context, this research proposes a methodological approach for the drawing teaching applied to the creative process in product design team. At the end of this study aimed to present a methodological approach obtained by triangulating data from the literature, documentary research from student’s drawings in design disciplines, and interviews with product design teachers. The methodology was evaluated qualitatively through an action research with graduating students in Product Design of the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul. The qualitative results of this research allowed the construction of a drawing of teaching material that apply the graphical representation of knowledge along to creative techniques in the creative process within the product development process.