Complexity in systems design can be reduced by computing permissible ranges for some crucial design variables that need to be defined in an early design phase. These ranges are calculated such that there is sufficient tolerance for the remaining design variables in later design phases, while still achieving the overall system design goals. A new algorithm for this approach is presented and applied to the design of a vehicle powertrain mount system. The results show large permissible ranges for mount positions while maintaining sufficient tolerance for mount stiffnesses.

Currently systems grow in complexity and more aspects, such as socio-technical aspects or the obligation to produce proof become more important. Both require a safety analysis on the system level early in the design process. System overview is provided by MBSE, while safety analysis is provided for example by FMEA. Both processes are executed organizationally and timely separated from each other. This research proposes a concept and a tool integration at the concept design phase, during system definition and functional decomposition and evaluates the effect and its potential applicability.

The design rationale describes the justification of design decision or selection. To avoid unnecessary design iterations, a capturing and documentation of this rationale is highly desirable. In digital engineering processes it is of imminent importance not only to document the evaluation processes behind this rationale but to make them repeatable and digitally executable. This allows to design a variety of product variants within an engineering framework. This paper explains an approach based on graph-based design languages and presents it based on a section of an automotive assembly system.

The application of biological materials in everyday design is gaining traction and designers are encouraged to employ biological systems through biodesign and biophilia. However, there is a deficiency in the understanding of potential consumers’ perceptions. This paper compares the perception of non-designers as well as designers towards design-embedded bio-materials. Data was collected from 234 respondents using an online survey. The findings were gathered by evaluating perception in terms of desirability, practicality, aesthetically, and familiarity with living and non-living biomaterials.

This research focuses on evaluating a user interface (UI) for an autonomous vehicle (AV) with the goal to determine the most suitable layout for persons with visual acuity loss. The testing procedure includes a Wizard of Oz AV for simulating an automated ride. Several participants are included in the study and the visual impairments are simulated by specially designed glasses. The conclusions help to determine the optimal graphic design of the UI that can be independently used by persons with blurred vision. The results can be applied to improve the inclusiveness and ergonomics of vehicle UIs.

Digital artefacts call for new design challenges: they enable services, technology-driven and multidisciplinary never ended processes, uncouple form-function, in a social relationship that must be ecosystem-framed. Then, the usual design mindset is not proper and expected vs unexpected outcomes must be equally studied. A framework of methods, in view of the usual design variables and the new ones called by design of smart objects, is here offered. From that the seeds for the future aid to the design process of smart objects result. Then, Objectomy and one real application case are described.

With evolution of Graphical User Interface, the access to the computer interface was expanded to cater to the extreme user categories by providing accessibility features and making the computer interface more inclusive. One such extreme user category is colourblind, which has a special accessibility requirement from the GUI. This paper studies the iconography of the Microsoft Windows operating system interface with an objective to develop an inclusive icon design solution that is visually ergonomic for colourblind users to include them as a mainstream user category in a computer interface.

Firm diversification is a growth strategy that allows firms to launch new products in untapped markets to increase revenue. It is the identified approach where industrial designers can contribute to exploring new tactical assets. The paper analyses the design-oriented diversification of a furniture company in Italy, where Design played a crucial role in positioning new demands. The tool applied to display the current and the feasible product portfolio is the Product Space. The company has leveraged its know-how on bent glass to produce iconic objects, winning prestigious design awards.

Subjective product quality is a fundamental aspect to maintain a high level of user acceptance and to provide a good user experience. Prototypes can be used to evaluate subjective product quality in early design phases. We conducted an empirical study to examine the influence of different (re)presentations of prototypes determined by the chosen technology (2D image, VR, AR, 3D print) and the user's technology acceptance. Based on the results we recommend 2D images as most reliable for evaluating subjective product quality.

Electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOLs) have been accessed on various configurations over the past decade. This literature review deals with the issue of determining the appropriate design for an Autonomous Passenger Drone (APD). APDs have been compared with VTOLs on their pros and cons. The authors analysed aerodynamics and propulsion systems of multiple APDs. Further, the comparative analysis aids in designing the best framework for the exterior form of APDs based on human capacity, flying technology, fuel type, travel distance, door type, size, material, safety, cost, etc.

Prior to wide adoption, a product must find social approval, which is especially true for near-body products as they are considered part of the human body. Based on a theoretical foundation, this study aims to provide an overview of methods to assess natural behaviour towards users of visible near-body products in uncontrolled environments, i.e. in the wild. Approaching the matter from a product design perspective, this article is primarily intended for designers of near-body products who wish to gain insights into the social behaviour of people towards users wearing their design proposals.

This paper chronicles and reflects on the processes and the meanings of a project of speculative design that creates a narrative based on the scientific notion of phytomining, the activity of extracting metals from the soil using plants. The paper reflects on the ability of the project of bringing together people from different expertise, as a successful case study of Speculative Design and Research through Practice. Besides the scientific and technical challenges posed by GeoMerce, the authors of this paper reflect on the critical framework that set the basis for such a complex project.

Through optimal design of the human machine interfaces, especially the hand-handle contact surface, high usability of hand-operated products can be achieved. The complexity of the user specific hand anthropometry has to be considered in the design of load transfer handles. Use case optimized, personalized, and adaptively morphing handles aim at fulfilling this requirement. To identify design parameters for adaptive handles an experimental design for systematic analysis of user and use case requirements is proposed and evaluated showing the potential of adaptive handles.

The product's transformation is considered for its fascination but it is not studied for its usage scenario. This study proposes an expanded phase model that can evaluate the usefulness of transformable products from the perspective of form, function and user scenario of a transformable product. We analyzed purpose of transformation, and identified user benefits from existing transformable products. This model allows designers/team to evaluate usefulness of transformable products by comparing user benefits of the product with appropriateness of form and function in a given usage scenario.

The integration of user perception into the design process has become necessary to provide the best experience to users. All methods focusing on the interpretations of products are based on the same principle: identifying relationships between a semantics and physical attributes of products within a product domain. Sometimes this domain makes the definition of these relations more complex as for a dialogic context of us due to the lack of existing product. We propose in this paper a method to define a semantics directly from products attributes in regards with a dialogic product domain.

This article investigates human geometry in design, allowing exploration of unknown geometries in Paralympic sports equipment. By creating a configuration map exploring the solution-space, optimal sit-ski seating positions–in the sense of performance and ergonomics–can efficiently be found for individual athletes. A physical prototype was developed, and an experiment was designed to identify changes in performance due to different geometries. The design method and application make it possible to translate critical angles onto geometries, and test individuals for optimal work ergonomics.

This paper follows the form of an essay, it offers a narrative review inquiring conceptually about opening futures. The main research question is: What concepts could help elucidate the new position of designers when futures are open? Four branches of literature from design are addressed, considering their core approaches: participation, infrastructures, systems thinking, and narratives. Focus on these four approaches could lead to profound discussions about what it means to open futures and the current relevance of expert design.

This paper presents an interview study aiming to understand the state of the art of how ergonomics designers work in the vehicle development process within the Swedish automotive industry. Ten ergonomic designers from seven different companies participated in the interview study. Results report the ergonomics designers' objectives, workflow, tools, challenges, and ideal work performance tool. We identify four main gaps and research directions that can enhance the current challenges: human behavior predictions, simulation tool usability, ergonomics evaluations, and integration between systems.

The design of mass-produced products is a design process aimed at the masses, which describes approaches and phenomena in strong transformation. The production techniques, the semantic value of the products, the concept of mass production and the similarities between these factors explain new production and design balances following the latest technological and cultural transformations within contemporary society and the market. The paper discusses and investigates the theme of industrial design aimed at the masses, reporting relevant case studies and experimental tests.

Humans perceive through various sensory impressions, including the five senses. Not only the number of different stimuli in everyday life increase, but also the degree of assessment of urgent and irrelevant information. But online it is not possible for the customer to physically perceive and assess the haptics of a product. This paper focus on the questions if it is possible for humans to perceive and identify surface properties without using their sense of touch and if humans can judge and classify the haptics of a textile materials via digital channels through a purely visual perception?