Client-centred design evolution via Prototyping - final.pdf (396.93 kB)
Client-centred design evolution via functional prototyping
journal contribution
posted on 2012-11-09, 13:48 authored by D.J. de Beer, Ian Campbell, M. Truscott, L. Barnard, G.J. BooysenThe product design process involves communication of potential design solutions to customers. Fully functional prototypes are most suitable for this because they are readily accepted and allow simultaneous evaluation of all design criteria. However, they are often seen as expensive, time-consuming and not fully representative of the final product material. Therefore, they are usually reserved for customer validation of the final design rather than to keep them involved in every product evolution iteration. This research proposes that rapid prototypes should be used to facilitate a method referred to as Customer Interaction through Functional Prototypes (CIFP). An action research methodology was employed to test the efficacy of applying this method to a real-world product design brief. Customers were able to fully evaluate the aesthetic, ergonomic and functional parameters of the product during every design iteration. This resulted in accelerated product development, sensitivity to the client's needs, a new dimension of 'natural' communication and a successful product design.
History
School
- Design
Citation
DE BEER, D.J. ... et al., Client-centred design evolution via functional prototyping. International Journal of Product Development, 8 (1), pp. 22 - 41.Publisher
© InderscienceVersion
- AM (Accepted Manuscript)
Publication date
2009Notes
This article was published in the International Journal of Product Development [© Inderscience] and the definitive version is available at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1504/IJPD.2009.023747ISSN
1477-9056eISSN
1741-8178Publisher version
Language
- en