Abstract
Products that are used in a dynamic situation are difficult to design with regard to usability. A dynamic use situation is a situation in which a product is used by various people, with different goals and/ or in different contexts of use. Since the use situation influences a product’s usability, a dynamic use situation can complicate the design process. We therefore propose to develop a new method to support the designer in dealing with dynamic use situations. The first step in this process is the definition of criteria for this design method. We distinguish criteria that concern analysis and evaluation of the design problem and criteria that concern the creation of solutions. Criteria for analysis and evaluation can be derived from a comparison with planning strategies through scenario planning. Applying these criteria to a first review of current user centred design methods leads to the conclusion that a promising basis for a design method for dynamic use situations can be found in scenario based design. This method should be integrated with creativity techniques and a technique which reveals the most important varying driving factors to build a frame of reference.
Keywords
usability, user centred design research, design methods, dynamic use situations
Citation
Brouwer, M., and van der Voort, M. (2006) Design for Dynamic Use Situations, First Steps in the Development of a Design Method that Supports Designing for Dynamic Use Situations, in Friedman, K., Love, T., Côrte-Real, E. and Rust, C. (eds.), Wonderground - DRS International Conference 2006, 1-4 November, Lisbon, Portugal. https://dl.designresearchsociety.org/drs-conference-papers/drs2006/researchpapers/30
Design for Dynamic Use Situations, First Steps in the Development of a Design Method that Supports Designing for Dynamic Use Situations
Products that are used in a dynamic situation are difficult to design with regard to usability. A dynamic use situation is a situation in which a product is used by various people, with different goals and/ or in different contexts of use. Since the use situation influences a product’s usability, a dynamic use situation can complicate the design process. We therefore propose to develop a new method to support the designer in dealing with dynamic use situations. The first step in this process is the definition of criteria for this design method. We distinguish criteria that concern analysis and evaluation of the design problem and criteria that concern the creation of solutions. Criteria for analysis and evaluation can be derived from a comparison with planning strategies through scenario planning. Applying these criteria to a first review of current user centred design methods leads to the conclusion that a promising basis for a design method for dynamic use situations can be found in scenario based design. This method should be integrated with creativity techniques and a technique which reveals the most important varying driving factors to build a frame of reference.