The use of wheat straw and other agricultural by-product fibers in polymer composite materials offers many economical and environmental benefits. Wheat straw has been recently commercialized as new filler for polypropylene thermoplastic composites in automotive applications. However, to expand its application in the automotive industry and other sectors where highly-engineered materials are needed, a systematic database and reliable composite property models are needed. For this purpose, this research was systematically conducted. A product design approach is used in studying wheat straw polypropylene (WS-PP) composite. A set of thermoplastic composite specifications relevant to several automotive parts was used as a basis for the customer needs which give the direction to the entire product design of thermoplastic composites based on polypropylene and straw. Straw fibers were produced by grinding and sieving (without any other treatment). These fibers were used in the formulation of polypropylene thermoplastic composites to understand the variable that can contribute to minimize production cost, maximize product performance and maximize wheat straw utilization (fraction of renewable material). The variation in chemical composition due to plant variety (parts of the plant, location of harvesting and seasonality), the bonding incompatibility between hydrophobic polypropylene matrix and hydrophilic straw fiber, along with the heterogeneity of fiber size and shape, has made wheat straw polypropylene composite a complex system. This complexity causes the mechanistic approach of composite modeling in the well-established composite theory difficult to be applied, since modeling the contribution of natural fibers to the performance of thermoplastic composites is not as straightforward like in the case of homogenous glass fiber (with same shape, diameter and narrow length distribution). Alternatively, a statistical approach of modeling by using designed experiments was used in this research. The Mixture and Process-Mixture Experimental Design methodologies were applied to develop response surface models that can be used to correlate input properties and formulation of these thermoplastic composites to the final properties of the product. The models obtained can then be inverted to predict the required properties and formulations using fiber (straw), matrix (polypropylene), and additives (coupling agent) as the main components for a specified product performance. The prediction includes the fiber grading (size and aspect ratio) and classification in order to maximize fiber utilization for different needs of composite products. The experiments were designed based on the analysis of the existing data provided by previous research works of wheat straw polypropylene composite system in our laboratory and by experimental data generated during this research. The focus of the analysis was the determination of the factor(s), i.e., the independent variables of the experiments and their acceptable levels. The response variables being measured were chosen based on the required specifications of targeted products. A constrained three-component mixture design of experiment was conducted to develop models for flexural properties of WS-PP composite. The three independent mixture variables in this experiment were the weight proportions of: straw (as fiber), polypropylene (as matrix), and maleic anhydride polypropylene (as coupling agent). Statistical analysis results showed that the obtained models have met standard requirements of response surface models with good predictive capability. One of the important finding of this study was the formulation for optimum coupling agent proportion which gives the best flexural properties of composite. The effect of straw fiber size on composite properties was investigated by using fiber length and aspect ratio as parameters to describe fiber size, instead of the size of sieves used in fiber preparation. Two-stage separation method was applied in the straw fiber preparation process. In this method, width-based separation was followed by length-based separation to obtain fiber fractions with distinct fiber length and aspect ratio. Samples of thermoplastic composites for measurement of physical properties were produced from each fiber factions at two different levels of fiber loading. The samples were compounded by twin-screw extrusion and specimens were prepared by injection molding. The fibers were then extracted from the samples after injection molding (using solvent) and their sizes were measured to investigate the fiber size reduction during the compounding and molding process. A comprehensive analysis was then performed to study the responses of stiffness, impact resistance and specific properties of these composites by including initial fiber sizes, fiber chemical compositions (measured as cellulose, hemi-cellulose and lignin), fiber size reduction during compounding/molding process, and fiber loading as factors. One of the important contributions of this study is fiber grading in terms of their sizes and their respective contributions to the final composite product properties. Based on the previous results, a mixture design of experiment was performed on wheat straw – polypropylene / impact copolymer polypropylene (WS-PP/ICP) composite system. The objective of the experiment was to obtain response surface models that can be used to estimate some important properties required by a set of automotive product specifications. The optimum formulation of coupling agent obtained in the previous study was used to determine the fixed recipe of coupling agent; simplifying the composite system into a three-component mixture, i.e. straw (as fiber) and polypropylene (homopolymer and impact copolymer (polypropylene blend as matrix). Simulation of the models shows the superiority of using a blend of polypropylenes to balance the stiffness and impact strength of the composites and being able to reach three targeted product specifications. A case study was also performed to demonstrate that the models can be used to find optimum formulations to minimize material cost while meeting specifications of all targeted products. Finally, a framework for wheat straw polypropylene product design and development is presented in this thesis. The framework can be used for designing polypropylene-straw thermoplastic composites with various combinations of fiber - polymer matrix - additive systems with different product attributes and specifications suitable for several applications in the automotive industry.

This study examines gender typing of industrial products in the activity of industrial design. Thus firstly, the meaning of gender, related theories and gender stereotypes have been reviewed through the literature survey in order to pinpoint the stereotypical attributes assigned to men and women through society and culture. Secondly, the effect of the stereotypical gender attributes on the act of possessing products have been examined. In return, a literature survey on the cognitive aspects of design has been conducted in order to question whether these gender attributes might have a similar impact on the design activity. The findings of the literature survey pointed towards categorical information processing theories as an appropriate tool to gender type products and also as a tool to measure the gender qualities of a product. To test the applicability of the methodology of categorization a study has been conducted with industrial designers and industrial design students in which the students were asked to design gender typed products and industrial designers were asked to rate their perceptions of genderedness of the designs. The test revealed the existence of a mental library consisting of categorized images corresponding to stereotypical gender attributes in the individuals, thus preparing the grounds for the use of this process in the industrial design activity.

Printed electronics (PE) is a disruptive but growing technology that is beginning to integrate its way into viable applications for product design. However, the potential for future impact of the technology on product design and the designer s role and contribution to this has yet to be established. Interest is increasing in the potential for product designers to explore and exploit this technology. Technologies can be seen as being disruptive from both a business, and an adoption point of view. For a business, changing from one technology to another or incorporating a new technology and its production processes can be difficult if they already have their suppliers established and existing relationships in place. Understanding and adopting a new technology can be challenging for a business and individuals working within an established industry as it can cause many questions to be raised around its performance, and direct comparison with the technology they already have in place. However, there have been many technologies that could be seen as disruptive in the past, as they offered an alternative way of working or method of manufacture, such as Bluetooth, 3D printing, and automation (manufacturing/assembly/finishing), etc., and their success has been dictated by individual s perception and adoption of the technology, with their ability to see the worth and potential in the technology. Cost comparison is also an important aspect for a business to consider when choosing whether to change to a new technology or to remain with their existing technology, as changing can disrupt the manufacturing line assembly of a product, and direct cost comparisons of components themselves, such as the cost of buying silicon components in bulk verses printing the components. The new technology needs to offer something different to a product to be worth implementing it in a product, such as its flexible form or lightweight properties of printed electronics being of benefit to the product over what a silicon electronic component/circuit could offer (restricted to rigid circuit boards), the functionality/performance of the components themselves also need to be considered. Performance, availability and maturity of the technology are some of the essential aspects to consider when incorporating a new technology into a product and these can be evaluated using a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) scale. Interest in the stage of development for a technology lies not only with designers; industry and academia also contribute to knowledge by playing a central role in the process of determining a TRL scale that is universally recognised. However, a TRL separation issue occurs between academia (often the technology only reaching an experimental proof of concept stage, a lower number on the TRL scale indicating that the technology is at an early stage of development) and industry (not considering technology for commercialisation until it reaches a stage where there is a demonstration of pre-production capability validated on economic runs, a much higher number on the TRL scale - indicating that the technology is at a much more advanced stage of development). The aim of this doctoral research was to explore the contribution of PE to product design. The researcher experienced the scientific development of the technology first-hand, and undertook a literature review that covered three main topics: 1) printed electronics (the technology itself), 2) impact (approaches to assessing impact and methods of judging new technology) because together they will identify the state of the art of printed electronics technology, and 3) education - educational theories/methods for designers - studying how designers learn, explore different methods in educating them about new technologies, and start to find appropriate methods for educating them about printed electronics technology. A knowledge framework for PE technology was generated and utilised to produce a taxonomy and TRL scale for PE and confirmed by PE expert interview. Existing case studies in which PE technology had been presented to student designers were investigated through interviews with participants from academia and industry to solicit perception and opinions on approaches for the effective communication of PE knowledge to student designers within an educational environment. The findings were interpreted using thematic analysis and, after comparing the data, three main themes identified: technical constraints, designer s perspective, and what a designer is required to do. The findings from the research were combined to create an educational approach for knowledge transfer aimed specifically at meeting the needs of product designers. This resulted in the need for PE technology to be translated into both a visual and written format to create structure and direct links between the technological elements and their form and function in order to facilitate understanding by designers. Conclusions from the research indicate that the translation of this technology into an appropriate design language will equip designers with accessible fundamental knowledge on PE technology (i.e. electrical components: form, function, and area of the technology), which will allow informed decisions to be made about how PE can be used and to utilise its benefits in the design of products. The capabilities and properties of this technology, when paired with product design practice, has the capacity to transform the designs of future products in terms of form/functionality and prevailing/views towards design approaches with electronics. If exposed to a variety of PE elements ranging across different TRLs, designers have the capacity to bridge the TRL separation issue (the gap between academia and industry) through their ability to create design solutions for an end user and provide a commercial application for the technology.

Each year in the UK (United Kingdom) hundreds of millions of consumer products are sold, leading to many millions of tonnes of waste being buried or burned annually. While there are many large businesses that produce consumer products, in the UK small product design consultancies (SDCs) make up approximately half of all employed designers. This thesis outlines an investigation into the absence of an EcoDesign agenda in product design briefs and how this might be changed in the future. In order to best establish the theoretical basis of the research, a comprehensive literature review was conducted into the practice of product designers, their relationship to society and the wider environment. In addition, existing tools and resources purporting to support product designers, with the implementation of EcoDesign projects, were analysed to understand the challenges associated with their design. Following this review, and the development of relevant research questions, a series of semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted to understand SDCs better, how these organisations conduct their business, and how familiar they are with EcoDesign. A series of semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 26 participants from 22 different consultancies. As a result of these interviews, a greater understanding of the barriers and drivers SDCs face in the practice of EcoDesign was established. This led to the creation of d.eco a web-based resource, to facilitate the implementation of EcoDesign principles in SDCs. This resource was evaluated in the final stage of the research. The majority of product designers had an awareness of EcoDesign and considered that they would be able to use their skills to find the information necessary to create products with a reduced environmental footprint. A significant barrier was that EcoDesign principles could only be legitimately applied when the design brief required their use. However, briefs are not created solely by clients; they were found to be much more collaborative, thus offering designers an opportunity to influence their own briefs. So, the role of an EcoDesign resource is less about assisting the design process, like most existing tools, and more to do with the providing designers with a wellspring of inspiration. However, the resource stimulates more than just creativity. It also provides peer recommended examples of existing EcoDesign products, materials and processes, facilitating the long-term absorption of relevant information. By presenting relevant material, in an appropriate way, designers can be more confident when including EcoDesign criteria and associated principles within their briefs.

Orientador: Paula da Cruz Landim / Banca: Milton Koji Nakata / Banca: Eliana Marques Zanata / Resumo: Este trabalho tem por objetivo analisar as relações sensoriais e funcionais estabelecidas entre as crianças e produtos cotidianos, divididos entre aqueles com características que privilegiam a função e outros que apresentem elementos diferenciadores, aplicados como brinquedos não estruturados. Correlacionar os resultados aos novos conceitos de design com enfoque sistêmico gerando discussões acerca do desenvolvimento de produtos. Material e Método: A pesquisa foi dividida em duas fases. A primeira consistiu em detectar brinquedos não estruturados em ambiente lúdico doméstico. Foram investigadas 8 casas, e a partir dos objetos encontrados entre os brinquedos determinou-se os materiais a serem utilizados na segunda fase. Na segunda fase, em ambiente lúdico controlado, foram usados como brinquedos não estruturados 60 artefatos de uso cotidiano estando divididos entre pentes, embalagens e recipientes vazios e colheres. Desses, 30 tinham características comuns e que identificavam a função e 30 continham elementos estéticos diferenciadores. Resultados: Foram perceptíveis a capacidade e a necessidade de adaptações das crianças à aplicação dos artefatos. As novas leituras sobre os artefatos se sobrepuseram a sua função explicita no ambiente lúdico. Os objetos com design diferenciado e com aspectos inusitados ofereceram maior estímulos criativos que os com aspecto explicitamente funcionais. / Abstract: Objective: To analyze the sensory and functional relations between the children and everyday products, divided into those with features that emphasize the function and others presenting differentiating elements, applied as unstructured toys. Correlate the results to new design concepts with systemic approach generating discussions about product development. Material and Methods: The research was divided into two phases. The first was to detect unstructured toys in domestic playful environment. They were investigated eight houses, and from the objects found among the toys determined if the materials to be used in the second phase. In the second phase, in controlled playful environment, they were used as toys unstructured 60 articles of everyday use being divided between combs, packaging and empty containers and spoons. Of these, 30 had common characteristics that identify the function and 30 contained differentiating aesthetic elements. Results: There were noticeable capacity and the need for adaptations of children the application of artifacts. The new readings on the artifacts have overshadowed its function explicit in playful environment. Objects with different design and unusual aspects offered greater creative stimuli that with respect explicitly functional. / Mestre

This is an investigation into the scope for applying continuous improvement (CI) to the process of new product development (NPD). The thesis makes two main contributions to knowledge. Firstly, it brings together the fields of continuous improvement of processes and NPD, which both have their own literature and research activity but have hitherto remained somewhat separated from each other. Secondly, it develops and tests an analytical model to support the implementation of CI within NPD.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:24:10Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2011-09-16Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:51:37Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 silveira_cg_me_bauru.pdf: 1953558 bytes, checksum: f2bc8759cd2d7daedcdc4fd5c498fe1c (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / O atual modelo de produção, distribuição e consumo que orienta nossa sociedade é apontado como responsável por severos prejuízos ao planeta, aos seus recursos naturais e a todas as espécies vivas além de favorecer a marginalização e a massificação das culturas. A sustentabilidade surge, nesse cenário, como uma tentativa de reverter ou pelo menos minimizar esse quadro, através da incorporação do pensamento sistêmico e de metodologias transdisciplinares que propõem novos modelos de comportamento. Este estudo visa tragar um panorama do surgimento dos conceitos de ambientalismo e de sustentabilidade e apresenta exemplos que apontam como ela é percebida e praticada pela população no Brasil. Neste processo de investigação, focalizou-se como estudo de campo a atuação do Projeto Tamar, que busca a preservação ambiental através da conscientização e desenvolvimento social, feito um recorte na Vila de Regência, litoral norte do Espírito Santo, onde se avaliou a importância do artesanato para a melhoria da qualidade de vida local. Observando este amplo contexto da produção ao consumo, tanto no que diz respeito à preservação do meio ambiente quanto ao desenvolvimento social, podemos destacar o design como ferramenta indispensável na busca por uma ecocivilização, termo utilizado por Azevedo (2008). Devido à influência direta na relação projeto, produção, venda e consumo, o designer é um dos pilares que deverá estruturar a tão sonhada sociedade sustentável em uma ecocivilização. os resultados que foram pesquisados sinalizam que ainda há um grande abismo entre as preocupações sócio-ambientais e o real comportamento do ser humano global e particularmente do brasileiro. Como consequencia, defende-se que atuar somente na produção e no consumo já não é suficiente para o campo do Design... / The current model production, distribuition and consumption that drives our society is blamed for severe damage to the planet, to its natural resources and to all living species in addition to pormote marginalization and cultural excavation. The sustainability arises in this scenario as an attempt to reverse or at least minimize this framework through the incoporation of systems thinking and methodologies of transdiciplinary, which propose new models or bahavior. This study aims to give an aims to give an overwiew of the emergence of the concepts of environmentalism and sustainability, and provides examples that show how it is perceived and practiced by the population in Brazil. In the process of research has focused field study as the Tamar Project, which seeks to protect the environment through awareness and social development, we studied in specific the Regência Village, north coast of the Espírito Santo, where we evaluated the importance of the craft work to improve the local quality of life. Noting this broad context from production to consumption, both with regard to environmental preservation and social development, we highlight the design as a tool in the search for a indispensável ecocivilization, a term used by Azevedo (2008). Due to the direct influence on relationship design, produciton, sale and consumption, the designer is one of the pillars that should structure our longed for a sustainable society in ecocivilization. The results that were surveyed indicate that there is still a big gap in socio-environmental concerns and real human behavior overall and particularly Brazil. As a result, it is argued that only act in the production and consumption is no longer sufficient for the field of design, since designers must, above all, assuming the role of educating for a new consciousness on a planetary scale

Submitted by Marcia Barana (m_barana@hotmail.com) on 2018-05-16T16:00:07Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Mestrado - Marcia Barana.pdf: 2952356 bytes, checksum: 44135a5ad343275ba05a9b59a152d41a (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Lucilene Cordeiro da Silva Messias null (lubiblio@bauru.unesp.br) on 2018-05-16T20:03:48Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 barana_m_me_bauru.pdf: 2873535 bytes, checksum: 6b0b7ecbf65d3b7700e5a71721882f19 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-05-16T20:03:48Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 barana_m_me_bauru.pdf: 2873535 bytes, checksum: 6b0b7ecbf65d3b7700e5a71721882f19 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-03-20 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Esta Dissertação de Mestrado demonstra, em sua análise inicial, um balizamento de conceitos de Design de Superfícies (DS) estabelecidos no Brasil por sua expressividade na atividade acadêmica e atuação no Mercado, considerando-se principalmente as publicações a partir dos anos 2000. Tal delimitação se dá por proximidade local e interesse da autora. Identificou-se, em primeira análise, complementação conceitual acerca do tema envolvendo a principais referências no Brasil, como Rubim (2005) e Rüthschilling (2008), Barachini (2002) e Schwartz (2008). Esta última explicitando o quanto as superfícies e o Design de Superfícies podem ser explorados tridimensionalmente e reforçam o âmbito projetual, fornecendo ainda os conceitos de Superfície-objeto e Superfície-envoltório, acrescidos de sua caracterização de acordo com as abordagens: Representacional, Constitucional e Relacional, estabelecidas por Schwartz (2008). Com os conceitos propostos pelas referências, foi possível apontar, como resultado parcial, a complementação do conceito tomado como inicial sobre o do Design de Superfícies, trazendo notoriedade e observação da superfície como componente de um objeto, seja ela aparente ou não. Fazendo uma analogia com área médica, trata-se não só a função “pele” por vezes associado à superfície, mas a possibilidade de funcionar como “epiderme”, camadas internas, que podem ter funções diversas como estruturante, filtrante, isolante, por exemplo, podendo oferecer uma experiência mais que estética, sobretudo funcional, mesmo que ainda oculta no resultado final do produto. O termo componente é tratado como parte que comporá um produto final. Assim, o escopo estabelecido tem o intuito de acrescentar um olhar sobretudo de aspecto técnico-funcional que os produtos do Design de Superfícies, seja de origem bidimensional ou tridimensional, possam acrescentar aos campos tradicionalmente conhecidos, como o design têxtil e de revestimentos. Enfatiza-se sua interação e participação no Design de Produto e o Design de Materiais, considerando que o resultado de um projeto de Design de Superfície, nem sempre será apresentado na superfície em sua configuração final. Para esta realização, a pesquisa se deu por meio de entrevistas abrangendo instituições de Ensino e do mercado potencial de uso do Design de Superfícies. Devido ao significado da palavra superfície restringir-se à superfície, o trabalho resultou com a proposição de uma abordagem complementar do Design de Superfícies, a partir da caracterização de Schwartz (2008), complementando-a como Design de Superfícies como componente, superfície-componente. / ABSTRACT This Master's Dissertation demonstrates in its initial analysis a beaconing of Surface Design (DS) concepts, established in Brazil, for its expressivity in academic activity and performance in the Market, mainly considering publications from the 2000s. Su ch delimitation is due to local proximity and author’s interest. A conceptual complementation on the theme involving the main references in Brazil, such as Rubim (2005) and Rüthschilling (2008), Barachini (2002) and Schwartz (2008) were identified in the f irst analysis. The latter explains how surfaces and Surface Design can be explored three - dimensionally and emphasize the project scope, providing the concepts of Surface - object and Surface - wrapping, plus their characterization according to the approaches: Representational, Constitutional and Relational, established by Schwartz (2008). Considering concepts proposed by the references, it was possible to point out, as a partial result, the complementation of the concept taken as initial on the one of the Desig n of Surfaces, bringing notoriety and observation of the surface as component of an object, be it apparent or not. Analogous to the medical field, it is not only the function "skin" sometimes associated with the surface, but the possibility of functioning as an "epidermis", internal layers, which can have diverse functions as structuring, filtering, insulating, for example, and can offer a more than aesthetic experience, especially functional, even if still hidden in the final product result. The term compo nent is treated as part that will make up an end product. Thus, the purpose of the scope is to add a technical - functional look that Surface Design products, whether of two - dimensional or three - dimensional origin, can add to the traditionally known fields, such as textile design, of coatings. It emphasizes their interaction and participation in Product Design and Materials Design, considering that the result of a Surface Design project will not always be presented on the surface in its final configuration. F or this realization, the research was conducted through interviews involving teaching institutions and the potential market for the use of Surface Design. Due to the meaning of the word surface, it is restricted to the surface, the work resulted in the pro position of a complementary approach to Surface Design, based on the characterization of Schwartz (2008), complementing it as Surface Design as component, surface - component / 330045056082PO

Thesis (MTech (Design))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2015. / Design as a field of practice is constantly evolving and has predominantly been used to stimulate and facilitate the humanisation of new technologies, so that they are usable and desirable for the capitalist economy (Boehnert, 2013, p. 14). With the evolution of the commercial and economic systems, the role of the designer now needs a shift so that it is able to facilitate new and appropriate interactions (Manzini, 2015, p. 180). This thesis explores what some of those interactions may look like and the role that design may be able to play in assisting them. Enabling society to be better equipped to communicate and collaborate with industry and academia, and vice versa, may be beneficial. The more society’s contributions can be heard, acknowledged and implemented, the better the economy may function. Increasing the transparency and understanding of these systems would potentially allow for less corruption and greater collaboration within and between them, possibly allowing for improved innovation. Once entrepreneurs are better equipped to integrate and take advantage of the institutional structures that are in place, this could drive economic development forward, and more informed and effective decisions might be implemented. Institutionally, through a better understanding of their resources and networks, such research could also lead to the implementation of better management and leadership strategies. This thesis focuses on the role of design as a catalyst for product development in the Western Cape. The concept of enabling innovative product ideas through design is analysed through an examination of three current case studies being developed in this region. To contextualise this a bit further, what is examined are the processes, developments and relationships, within and across the structures of the university, civil society and the design industry. This is explored to identify how each of these groups may support the design process, and where they may inhibit it. The primary objective is to provide a foundational road-map to enable innovative ideas from which citizen projects, universities and the design industry may benefit and continue to build upon. In this way, it may be possible to create a more synergetic relationship between universities, the design industry and civil society, or at least to make that relationship more transparent and mutually beneficial.

Em essência, esta tese traz um compêndio técnico para auxiliar no projeto de cadeira de rodas de propulsão manual, visando à ampliação eficiente da ergonomia e da mobilidade dos usuários. Essas recomendações foram elaboradas a partir de uma ampla revisão da literatura e da aplicação de um teste de usabilidade com um referencial tecnológico de cadeira de rodas. Os conceitos teóricos que fundamentam esta tese abrangem o contexto histórico e técnico da deficiência, as premissas éticas para o design de produto, as recomendações de projeto já consolidadas pela literatura científica, os aspectos da facilidade de uso no âmbito do design centrado no usuário, o desenvolvimento motor da pessoa com deficiência, a biomecânica da propulsão manual e as respectivas formas de manejo desse equipamento. A sistemática metodológica da pesquisa foi fundamentada em três abordagens. Na primeira selecionamos um referencial tecnológico a partir de uma amostra de 101 modelos de cadeiras de rodas disponíveis no mercado brasileiro. Depois de escolhido o produto, aplicamos um teste de usabilidade, levando em consideração a norma ISO 20282-2:2006(E), que possibilitou verificar o grau de satisfação e comprovar que as cadeiras de rodas, são ineficientes para atender às necessidades ergonômicas e de mobilidade dos usuários. Participaram dessa pesquisa 43 sujeitos de ambos os gêneros, com idade média entre 31 e 37 anos. E, finalmente, com o uso do software Kinovea analisaram-se os diferentes padrões do movimento da propulsão manual. Nesta última abordagem, estabeleceram-se parâmetros cinemáticos, temporais, antropométricos e posturais, que serviram para enriquecer e consolidar novas recomendações de projeto. Essas recomendações abrangem os cinco sistemas que compõem uma cadeira de rodas: (a) sistema de propulsão, (b) deslocamento, (c) apoio para o corpo, (d) estrutural e (e) morfológico. Por fim, foram traçadas reflexões metodológicas de projeto, uma prospecção do futuro das cadeiras de rodas no Brasil e algumas sugestões de pesquisas no campo do design para a saúde, as quais surgiram durante o desenvolvimento dessa investigação. / In essence, this thesis brings a technical compendium to assist in the design of manual wheelchair propulsion, aiming the efficient expansion of ergonomics and user mobility. These recommendation were development from an extensive literature review and application of a usability test with a technological reference wheelchair. The theoretical concepts that underlie this thesis cover the historical and technical context of disability, the ethical assumptions for product design, the design recommendations already established in the scientific literature, the aspects of ease of use under the user-centered design, the motor development of the disabled person, the biomechanics of manual propulsion and related forms of handling such equipment. A systematic methodological research was based on three approaches. The first selected a technological reference from a sample of 101 models of wheelchairs available in the Brazilian market. After select the product, apply a usability test taking into the ISO 20282-2.2006 (E) which enabled us to verify the degree of satisfaction and demonstrate that the wheelchairs are inefficient to attend the ergonomic necessity and mobility of users. In this study 43 subjects took part of test, both genders, on average between 31 and 37 years. Finally, using the software were analyzed Kinovea different patterns of motion of manual propulsion. In the last approach, settled parameters, temporal, anthropometric and postural which served to increase and consolidate new design recommendations. These recommendations cover the five systems that set a wheelchair: (a) propulsion system, (b) displacement, (c) support for the body, (d) structural and (e) morphology. Finally, methodological reflections project, an exploration of the future of wheelchairs in Brazil and some suggestions for research in the field of design for health, which arose during the development of this research.