The following page of notes will cover:
- User centred design
- Circular economy
- Systems thinking
User centred design:
User centred design demands that designers employ a mixture of investigative (e.g. surveys and
interviews) and generative (e.g. brainstorming) methods and tools to develop an understanding
of user needs
Framework process
- Clear framework
- Needs of the user to control all decisions
- The requirements of the business
Problem solving:
- Ideas developed then evaluated by user
- User needs constantly monitored
- Iterative design development
- Collaboration of designers and engineers
Limitations of end user considerations:
- Feedback needs to be appropriate for development
- Views can only affect a small proportion of the market
- Feedback helps refine, not change whole project
- Involve users more in design
- Result of iterative design process (feedback from users)
- Consider whole user experience
- Developed by multi-skilled, multi-disciplinary team (product designers, engineers,
industrial designers, ergonomists, sale and marketing specialist)
Methods used to achieve user centred design standards:
- Apply ergonomic principles for ease of use and comfort
- Use anthropometric data to ensure good 'fit'
- Observe people using products
- Organise focus groups to indentify problems with existing products
- Improve user experience
Circular economy:
The circular economy is an economic model designed to minimise waste and make the most of
resources by keeping products, materials, and components in use for as long as possible.
Unlike the traditional linear economy (take-make-dispose), a circular economy focuses on
closing the loop through recycling, reusing, repairing, and remanufacturing.
- Keep resources as long as possible
- Extract the maximum value from them whilst in use
- Recover and regenerate products and materials at the end of each service life
- Reduce (materials, waste, pollution), Refurbish, Repair, Recycle
Key Principles of a Circular Economy
1. Design Out Waste & Pollution
- Products are designed to be durable, repairable, and recyclable.
- Avoid harmful materials to ensure safe reuse.
2. Keep Products & Materials in Use
- Extend product lifespans through maintenance, refurbishment, and sharing.
- Promote second-hand markets and product-as-a-service
models (e.g., leasing instead of buying).
3. Regenerate Natural Systems
- Use renewable energy and biodegradable materials.
- Return nutrients to the environment (e.g., compostable packaging).
Examples of Circular Economy Practices
- Recycling (e.g., turning old plastics into new products)
- Repair & Refurbishment (e.g., fixing electronics instead of discarding
them)
- Remanufacturing (e.g., rebuilding car parts for reuse)
- Sharing Economy (e.g., car-sharing, tool rentals)
- Biodegradable Materials (e.g., compostable food packaging)
Design for maintenance:
- Safer - less likely to fail
- Reliability - less likely to break
- Efficiency - less pollution (e.g. cars)
- Cost - cheaper to maintain vs replace
Right to repair:
- Law to protect you from unfair policies that make it difficult/expensive for you to
repair products on your own
Systems thinking:
It's the way that keeps reducing inconsistencies between the actual flows of the
system, and one's understanding of the system and its actual flows.
- Each part of the product or system is part of something bigger
- Breaking down a system or product to understand how it works
- Relies on a number of departments working together (concurrent manufacturing)
- Understanding how all parts relate to eachother
Flow diagrams and feedback loops help to understand a complex system and identify
where changes can be made to improve the outcome
Topic test:
Interactive flashcards: