Designing for Specific Users
Industrial Design Bachelor Program
University of Twente
Group 4. Module 7. 2024
Introduction to the project
The project Designing for Specific Users (DSU) focuses on designing a product both with and for a specific user. Although this product focuses on the needs and behaviour of a specific individual, the broader objective of this team is to create a product able to benefit a larger audience facing similar challenges as the case owner.
The team was paired with a visually impaired user, and was tasked to create a product that could support the case owner as well as the visually impaired community. For the aim of this project, the case owner will go by the name of ‘Ted’. Based on a thorough investigation of Ted’s needs and behaviour several problems were identified, defined and discussed in order to find the most suitable option for him. In this case, the team focused more on Ted’s day-to-day life, habits and preferences.
Following the analysis and research phase, a concept direction was found, and, after various co-design sessions, with the participation of our case owner, a final product design was defined.
The specific user
Name:
Ted
Age:
50 years old
Job:
Software testing, Massager, Business owner (Collection Agency)
Passions:
Running, Massage therapy
Challenges:
Orienting, Colliding with people, Reading on display
As mentioned previously, the team’s assigned case owner is visually impaired. Being born with Rieger syndrome, a genetic mutation in which issues are found in the development of the iris and cornea, the case owner has had decreased vision since birth. In Ted’s own words, his vision was at 30 to 40 percent, and most things were doable, except for driving a car. As of a few years back, his eyesight deteriorated rapidly. Now his vision consists of distinguishing larger shapes based on light- and darkness, with minimal perception of movement in the peripheral vision, with his entire central vision being lost. Despite these challenges, Ted is fully independent and leads an active life, being a highly dedicated runner and full-time worker with a strong passion for massaging.
The design challenge
“The challenge for this group concerns the design of an assistive product, which aims to aid the visually impaired in independently using herbs and spices in the kitchen, by placing emphasis on accessibility and ease of use.”
The phases
Phase 1
The main focus of this phase was to fully navigate needs and behaviour of the case owner and effectuate a thorough literature research to familiarise with Ted and his problems.
Phase 2
With the assistance of the case owner several problems were discussed and explored leading the group to three separate ideation sessions which served as basis for the final concept.
Phase 3
For the final section the group focused on testing, prototyping and software development. The case owner’s feedback was used to finalise the prototype, furthermore, the voice-controlled-software was programmed, and the website set-up.