The Co-Design Experience: Conceptual Models and Design Tools for Mass Customization

AbstractAs mass customization develops, there is increasing understanding of how this practice can be implemented in terms of manufacturing capability and expertise, data transfer and management, and product architectures and business processes; however these critical elements fulfill only part of the story. The notion of designing for co-design is still relatively under-researched; co-design can be seen to consist not only of the specific codesign activities during product creation, but of the entire purchasing experience for the customer co-designer. This chapter presents a conceptual model and a design tool to support design for co-design, encompassing issues of increased emotional connection and positive customer experience.