THE USE OF SIMPLIFIED THREE-DIMENSIONAL COMPUTER INPUT DEVICES TO ENCOURAGE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN DESIGN

The emphasis of most computer aided design is on the benefits to the user of the CAD system rather than on the possible benefits to the user of the resulting end products. This paper looks at some of the problems for any designer using a CAD system and in particular at the problems of involving the end user of a product directly in the design process. A simplified three-dimensional computer input device is described as an aid to the potential use of computer aided design techniques by the lay public. The technique is demonstrated in an experiment which involves the builders of a self-build housing association scheme in the design of their own houses.