Assistive technology product to universal design: a way forward.

The context of Assistive Technology (AT) products are defined within a user-centred, new product development (NPD) process. The viewpoint of the user, associated stakeholders and a wider UK society are described along with ways in which their associated preferences may be obtained. The focus of this article is Industrial Design practice. Industrial Design (ID) may be considered to deliver the social and cultural function of a product within the constraints of physical function, manufacture and cost. A key aspect of ID practice is the manipulation of an individual's emotions or behaviours through the user's experience of interacting with the product. This may be viewing or sensing through to using it to perform a task. The generic mechanisms of perception and emotional response to a product are discussed and mapped onto the given new product development (NPD) process. The semantics of words images and forms are shown to have a critical influence on the perception of an individual and society. An example process, methodology and design tools are described that have been practically applied through many successful AT product developments. Case studies from current (2011-2012) Finalist undergraduate Industrial Design (ID) student product designs will focus on some of the principles described. The process described uses a combination of conventional evidenced-based NPD alongside specific methods of the manipulation of perception and semantic meaning. Design tools such as value web-diagrams, technology footprint, iconography and product DNA are demonstrated within the NPD examples. New product development (NPD) process Before reviewing methods associated specifically with Assistive Technology and Universal design, it is helpful to provide a context for their application within a NPD process. Below is a 'double-diamond' approach to the explanation of NPD activities that has been refined and developed by the author over the last twenty years. This is similar the basic diagram used in more recent years by the UK design Council to explain NPD. The methods and tools highlighted in this article focus on research, eliciting evidence to make informed design decisions; and, producing the optimum compromise within a design solution. In addition, design heuristics or tools are described that are employed to enhance the social and cultural function of the product design.