Abstract
In recent years, more and more designers, engineers and market researchers have recognized that designs should meet the different needs and preferences of end-users and also bring them different kinds and levels of satisfaction. By using the concept of culture as composed of spatial and temporal dimensions, this paper reviews how products - physical objects - relate to the beliefs, wants, needs and preferences of people, and also to their activities and behaviour. This paper uses public space furniture in Hong Kong as a case study, examining the ways in which people use them. It then discusses how product designers can understand the needs and preferences of people by observing their daily practices. Finally, it suggests how products should be designed to meet a high degree of userfitness and provide different pleasures for users.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 545-555 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | Journal of Engineering Design |
Volume | 16 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Dec 2005 |
Keywords
- Design and culture
- Human factors
- Product design
- Public space furniture
- Userfitness
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Engineering(all)