Key Influences on the User-Centred Design Process

Joy Goodman-Deane, Patrick Langdon, Dan Johnson, P John Clarkson

Abstract

To develop inclusive design materials that are well suited to design practice and thus more likely to be adopted, a better understanding of this practice is needed. A triangulated study was thus conducted, including observations of case studies, interviews with designers and a literature review. The study examined many aspects of design practice, focusing on the consideration of users and influences on method uptake. Four overarching themes were identified: clients' influence, informality, variation, and time and cost constraints. Implications include the need to educate clients in the value of inclusive design; the need for informal, cheap, yet insightful inclusive design methods; and the value of providing a range of flexible materials for different design situations.

BibTeX citation

@article{good*10a,
  Author = {Goodman-Deane, Joy and Langdon, Patrick and Clarkson, P. John},
  Title = {Key Influences on the User-Centred Design Process},
  year = 2010,
  month = "April-June",
  Journal = {Journal of Engineering Design},
  volume = 21,
  number = "2",
  pages = "345-373",
  Keywords = {design, inclusive, industry, methods, user centred}}