Tools & Methods

Showcase: Kn6 IBV

Abstract

Kn6 IBV consists of a set of software tools and a group of databases with information about products, users, kansei words and knowledge. The tool is made up of three modules: Management of the databases, Profiles generator and Design. The first one allows the management of the databases that feeds the system. The second generates graphs that represent the image transmitted by the products. The last provides the relations between perceptions and design features by means of two ways: in the design of products the system recommends combinations of design elements to generate the expected image of the product and in the assessment of products the system provides the expected image for a product.

Practical issues
Specific knowledge needed (e.g. statistics)	Low Medium/ High	Ignore
Time required	Short Medium/ Long	Ignore
Training required	Yes No	Ignore
Cross-cultural	Yes/ Probably No	Ignore
Portable	Yes No	Ignore
Software	Yes No	Ignore
User involvement	Yes No	Ignore
Face-to-face administration	Yes No/ Both	Ignore

Characteristics
Tools vs. method	Tool Method	Ignore
Applicability	Product characteristics Interaction characteristics Both	Ignore
Data	Existing New	Ignore
Perspective	Design Engineering	Ignore
Type of information	Emotional Sensorial Meaning All	Ignore

D e s i g nm o v e m e n t

D e s i g nm o v e m e n t integrates and ‘embodies’ a whole range of product design issues through movement. It aims at rich and coherent design and supports the possibility to develop innovative, expressive, and also natural design.

Interaction Relabelling

Exploring meaningful relations (including but not limited to emotionally expressive relations) between form and interaction in order to re-knit the relations between form, interaction, and function.

Interactive tangible sketching

Interactive tangible sketching integrates physical modelling, more specifically tinkering, with play-acting, sensor technology and dataflow modelling programs. Key aspects are the focus on rich tangible interaction, the speed of making and testing a 3D sketch and the experiential and interactive character of the sketch. Moreover, the tool should enable the designer to focus on the action-potential of physical objects as carriers of meaning in interaction.

Kansei Engineering Software

The KESo software is a tool for automatic data collection and evaluation of the data according to Kansei Engineering rules.

Kn6 IBV

The system will provide support for the development of user oriented products, providing storage and management of data and information (Kansei words, design elements, products, users) and helping in gathering users’ information. It will be able to manage the results of the kansei evaluation and the relations between the perceptions and the design features of the product.

Physical fusion design

By fusing methods that address movement-based interaction and design for experience, we offer a spectrum that designers can use to shape their own ‘design for experience, interaction, tangibility, … process. By integrating the dynamic and expressive possibilities of the designer’s body, the wealth of materials and spatial models and the possibilities of sensor kits, one can explore, build and experience interaction ideas and concepts on the spot.

Pictograms for product sound

Pictograms are designed to represent each sounding product part (e.g., fans, engines, etc.). In a sound design tool, such pictograms are accompanied by the sound that the part is supposed to produce. Combinations of pictograms form an auditory composition as well as a visual one. Auditory composition imitates the sound design which can be used to create discussions in a design team meeting, or used to evaluate the value of the created sound. Visual composition presents the main parts involved the sound design, and makes it easy for the design team to discuss further solutions for the sound design.

SENSOTACT® (version V3)

The Sensotact® reference frame helps designers to define the sense of touch of a product through 10 descriptors: hardness, roughness, stickiness, braking, nervousness, depth, slippery, memory of shape, fibrous and thermal. It allows a description of the product and its expectations, measuring tactile profile, validating quality and identifying the sensory expectations of the consumers.

Synthesis of Experiential Product Sound

The method connects descriptive aspects from the physical, perceptual, and experiential domain to each other in order to improve the sound of domestic appliances and to design sounds in the conceptual phase.

Vision in Product Design

Vision in Product design (ViP) is a 6-stage design method that increases the likelihood of generating innovative ideas by focusing on what is possible instead of what is wrong, and by creating space for the designer to feel and incorporate values and opinions in the process.