User-Centered Design: Assignment 1 — Davis Her
User-Centered Designer: Peter Chamberlain
Peter chamberlain is an Associate Professor of Industrial Design and a graduate of the Master of Fine Art Sculpture program at the University of Cincinnati, College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning. He also holds a degree in Design from the Graduate School at Chiba University, located just outside of Tokyo, Japan.
He has worked in the Rapid prototyping industry and for companies in transportation-related manufacturing technology in both Japan and the United States. During his time in Graduate School at Chiba University, he was highly influenced by his professor, who introduced him to Universal design. Universal design is about accommodating convenience for somebody who has specific sort of limitations or special needs, in a way that the design or the product is also appropriate for the able bodies, therefore it destigmatizes the idea of special design for the disabled bodies. His continued international experience has been formative in developing a body of research that considers the unique role that culture plays in the emotional appreciation of everyday products and experiences.
Examples of the designer’s User-Centered Design practiced projects
Out of the copious number of user-centered design projects professor, Chamberlain has worked on, he is particularly fond of his package design projects. He believes that package design is deeply user-centered when taking one of the projects he has worked on, for example, the product in the above image.
It may look like an ordinary package design to contain a roll of plastic wrap, however, little details have been added to effectively guide the users for their convenience. On top of the box has engravings which allow the blind people to feel which direction is the front. The yellow edges on the two corners inside the box hold the product inside the package. The red arrow sticker on the wrap directs the users which direction to open the wrap from. On the bottom edge of the top has saw-shaped teeth in order to assist the users to rip the wrap with ease. Also, on the front cover of the box contains various directions and information about the product and its usages.
Principles and methods utilized in the projects
For this particular project, professor Chamberlain has considered the principles: efficiency, learnability, and satisfaction towards the project. The simple details considering the users, such as the engravings on top for the blinds, corner edges inside the box to contain the inner product within the package, saw-shaped teeth to easily cut the wrap and the clipped cuts to lock the container when closed, were designed mainly for the customers/ users’ efficiency and satisfaction when using the product. Due to the various simple functions, the users can quickly and effectively utilize the product with satisfaction. Especially, the engravings for the blind users plays a big role in the efficiency and learnability of the product.
Who were the target audiences?
According to professor Chamberlain, the main target audience for this project was the people who have special physical and mental impairments. However, he also deeply considered the able-bodied users. We live in a society where time is very limited and the ability to multitask is required. Therefore, professor Chamberlain’s idea of Universal and user-centered design allows all users, disregarding their physical or mental ability, to utilize the product.
For example, a prototype for one of the projects he has done during his time in Chiba graduate school. He designed a one-hand dishwashing tool for those who were physically impaired. But, his intention was not only to design a product for someone who has lost their hand during a combat. He intended to design a product that was also designed for those with both hands but only has one hand in an imposed moment.
The value of user-centered design on the projects
Professor Chamberlain’s main focus on Universal design had a large impact on his projects. He states that user-centered design, like the most forms of design, has been derived from Universal design. His ideology of Universal design is that it is not merely taking one subject into consideration, it is about putting all subjects into consideration. The projects may have been intended to be designed for the disabled users however, he wanted to design a product that can benefit all users equally. His main principle of design is to always think about the people. He states that practicing user-centered design has made him considerate about all people disregarding their physical or mental disadvantages. Without people, there is no purpose in design.
Key takeaways from this assignment
Through this assignment, I have learnt the principles, process, and the value of being an user-centered designer in depth. However, most importantly, I have learnt the importance of the target audience in this field of design. Professor Chamberlain has given me an immense of amount of information about his understanding of user-centered design and his involvement with it. Although his focus of study and profession is on Universal design, he strongly believes that the concept of user-centered design is derived from the principles of Universal design. Universal design may focus on accommodating convenience for somebody who has specific sort of limitations or special needs. However, it also focuses on the design or the product that is appropriate for the able bodies, therefore it destigmatizes the idea of special design for the disabled bodies. User-centered design’s purpose is similar to that of Universal design. User-centered design focuses on accommodating convenience for certain targeted audiences. Professor Chamberlain emphasized that Universal design is good design and good design is about people. Without people, the target audience, design would not exist to serve its purpose. Therefore, my key take from this assignment is that good design is not merely about providing convenience for certain number of people, it is about accommodating convenience for all people.
Sources:
Chamberlain, Peter. Personal Interview. 14 September 2018
