Design Brief Research Articles

From Robotics to Prosthetics: What Design and Engineering Can Do Better Together

This paper discusses how the disciplines of Design and Engineering are jointly addressing disability and somehow affecting its very interpretation. The discussion focuses on high-tech prostheses, where robotic devices substitute human body parts. The application of robotic technologies to prosthetics has a relatively long history. Nevertheless, only in the last decade have we witnessed applications reach the market and become available for a large base of users who were offered prostheses with superior motor and sensory performance. The process of bringing ever more advanced technologies to fruition by prosthetic users is fully ongoing today, with some promising solutions coming from robotics (such as, e.g. AI techniques or soft robotics materials) to be transferred to human use. In this transfer process, technology alone is insufficient to warrant success, and the need for a close collaboration between the Engineering domain and the Design disciplines is apparent. We address this point with specific reference to a case study, i.e. the transformation of an innovative but by-now established technology in the industrial robotics field (the “Pisa/IIT SoftHand”) into a prosthetic hand (the “SoftHand Pro”). Besides obvious technical considerations about size, connections, control, and so on, which can be addressed with a thorough technical revision of the design, what makes the profound difference between the two devices is that, as a prosthesis, the SoftHand is intended as a human body part, and not as an external tool. To reach its ultimate goals, the hand should become a part of the human user, with his body and mind. The empirical approach and tools of Designers afford the possibility to enrich the re-design process, considering the final user at the centre of the process, in a sort of renewed humanistic approach. The paper reflects this multidisciplinary approach and is structured as follows: the first part describes a cultural framework for the use of high-technology upper limb prostheses. This culture is defined through two significant relations (Users & Society; Users & Device). Inputs come from desk research conducted in different fields, ranging from Social Psychology to Medicine and Rehabilitation area. In this scenario, it is possible to extract design insights applicable to the design brief. The introduction of a robotic prosthetic hand (SoftHand Pro) and a related, single-user case study follow. The aim here is also to illustrate a process where engineering innovations are facilitated by tools from the Design field in the attempt to make the whole process coherently centred on users. Involved are all aspects, from material technology to the covering and finishing of the prosthetic device. The resulting, final prototype of the SoftHand Pro is finally presented.

Using Design Briefs to Empirically Replicate and Extend the ‘Designence’ Model of Strategic Design Value

Despite increasing attention from academics and practitioners Design Management lacks a widely-agreed upon empirical measure. This paper proposes a new conceptualization of Design Management based on the view of design as a “managed process” within organizations (Bruce and Bessant, 2002, p. 38). We employ an expert rating procedure of product design briefs and Exploratory Factor Analysis to derive eleven factors of information elements contained within these document that constitute Design Management: F1 Insights into Customers; F2 Business Model; F3 Product Aesthetics; F4 Authenticity; F5 Symbolic/ Experiential Value; F6 Functional Value; F7 Promotions/ Distribution; F8 Sustainability; F9 Production/ Development; F10 Project Management; F11 Risk/ Safety. Further, we clarify the strategic role of Design Management by relating these factors to measures of firm performance at the product project- and competitive advantage-levels. Our findings are rationalized using the Balanced Score Card for Design Management approach, made up of: (1) Customer Perspective; (2) Process perspective; (3) Learning and Innovation perspective; and (4) Financial perspective. Our results confirm the overwhelmingly positive relationship between Design Management and firm performance and highlights the differential effects of individual factors across the two measures.

What is a soundscape intervention? Exploring definitions and identification criteria and a platform to gather real-world examples

Possible definitions for the concept of "soundscape intervention" and criteria that could be used to identify stages in a design-oriented framework are discussed. This is in line with the Part 4 of the ISO 12913 series on soundscape being currently developed. The long-term goal is observing frequent/recurring situations or strategies that can be collated into design toolkits and formulate design briefs that local authorities will be using to communicate with soundscape consultants. For some time already, the soundscape concept has attracted attention from policy-makers and practitioners of the built environment, as it advocates for more engagement with local communities in design processes. This is reflected in several documents published by national and international agencies calling for consultation and participation of the public in the definition of soundscape interventions. However, this intended framework did not really make any significant breakthrough in the planning and design community, possibly for the lack of conspicuous empirical evidence (i.e., case studies and success stories) showing the benefits provided by the soundscape approach, and some lack of consensus about what a "soundscape intervention" is in the first place. Therefore, an online platform will be presented that can be used for data collection of soundscape intervention examples.

The design brief as a pivotal tool: A study of Centro Brasil Design’s practices to promote design

In the early stages of the design and innovation processes, stakeholders often develop a design brief. As a document gathering all design requirements, it is adopted as an agreement and a roadmap to facilitate communication throughout the project. This study expands the current literature about design brief tools by delving into the briefing process within design interventions conducted by design promotion organisations. We investigated the strategies and practices of Centro Brasil Design to nurture design among Brazilian enterprises. Particularly, we focused on its Design Export program, which aims to insert design in export-oriented businesses. Supported by the Design Quality Criteria framework, our study probed the program’s development and its design briefs, as well as the designers involved in the projects. The findings revealed how a design brief could lever the design advisory service. We further identified a new approach to briefing procedures and a design brief model for design interventions.

A social science mixed-methods approach to stimulating and measuring creativity in the design classroom

Abstract This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of using a social science mixed-methods approach to stimulate creativity and improve the attainment of creative outcomes in teaching design. In a focused study framed through a design collaborative experiment within a classroom context, sketches produced by a sample of 351 students were analyzed and the impact of stimuli was categorized by visual, physical, quantitative and contextual information on creative processes and outcomes in product design. Sixteen combinations of these stimuli were integrated as parameters of design briefs (DBs) given to the participating students. This research was augmented with a survey to understand participants’ perceptions and reactions and was rated by expert judges. The results demonstrate that certain combinations of quantitative and qualitative stimuli have a positive impact on creative processes and outcomes. These findings will inform new techniques for engaging and inspiring students in design studies.

Knowledge dimensions in prototyping: investigating the what, when and how of knowledge generation during product development

Abstract Prototyping is a knowledge generation activity facilitating improved understanding of problem and solution spaces. This knowledge can be generated across a range of dimensions, termed knowledge dimensions (KDs), via a range of methods and media, each with their own inherent properties. This article investigates and characterises the relationships between prototypes and knowledge generated from prototyping activities during the design process, by establishing how different methods and media contribute across KDs. In so doing, it provides insights into prototyping activity, as well as affording a means by which prototyping knowledge generation may be studied in detail. The investigation considers sets of prototypes from eight parallel 16-week design projects, with subsequent investigation of the knowledge contributions that each prototype provides and at what stage of the design process. Results showed statistical significance supporting three inferences: i) teams undertaking the same design brief create similar knowledge profiles; ii) prototyping fidelity impacts KD contribution and iii) KDs align with the different phases of the project. This article demonstrates a means to describe and potentially prescribe knowledge generation activities through prototyping. Correspondingly, the article contends that consideration of KDs offers potential to improve aspects of the design process through better prototyping method selection and sequencing.

The Effect of Potential Analogies and Negative Issues on Creative Designs

Abstract The study explored ways in which briefs can be structured to support creative design outcomes. The procedure involved a controlled, yet analytical experiment carried out in a university setting to test the use of analogical reasoning under different conditions to enhance the creativity of design solutions. The first goal was to verify whether visual and text analogies contribute to enhancing design creativity, measured by novel and useful solutions. The second goal was to explore the use of visual and text analogies in creative designs when instructions to formulate negative statements about the problem were provided. A final goal was to test whether correlations exist between the students’ self-reported creativity and their design outcomes scores. 179 first-year undergraduate students participated in this study. The results showed that design briefs with specific instructions to use text or visual analogies yielded highly novel outcomes. However, when text or visual analogies were triggered by statements concerning negative issues of the design problem, more useful outcomes were produced. Moreover, significant relationships were found between self-perceived creativity and the novelty of the outcomes generated in the visual and text analogy briefs. It is suggested that both types of analogies should be employed as effective design studio pedagogical tools to enhance creativity. Negative statements should be considered when the design goal is to improve existing features of current solutions.

Mass architecture and limitations

Mass housing architecture requires special consideration. Both in the historical perspective and in the present, the designer needs to be aware of the factors affecting the design process implicitly, beyond the will of the client and the design brief. These factors lend themselves to systematization, and the main of them are considered in a historical perspective as essential to the formation and existence of the basic types of mass housing.

Material selection and conceptual design in natural fibre composites

Abstract Material selection is the process of determining which material is best suited to meet the needs of a specific application. Mechanical characteristics, chemical properties, physical properties, electrical properties, and cost are all aspects that define the selection requirements. During the material selection process, these must be weighed. Materials selection is a process used by design engineers to choose the best materials for a specific component. To find the best composite materials, a materials selection system is used to find candidate materials from various composite materials that meet all of the material selection criteria, such as strength, stiffness, cost, and aesthetics. Similarly, a materials selection system will require candidate materials to contain several forms of NFC to identify the best appropriate NFC for a specific product. Materials selection for NFC goods is a relatively recent field of study. Because of the vast number of individual constituent materials in NFC, the work of selecting the best NFC for a specific product is regarded as challenging and time-intensive (Marques T, Esteves JL, Viana J, Loureiro N, Arteiro A. Design for sustainability with composite systems. In: 15th international conference on experimental mechanics (ICEM15); 2012:1–2 pp). Whereas conceptual design is a crucial activity in the design process in modern design, it is continually highlighted that improper conceptual design can lead to extensive rework and problems after the product is produced. According to (Pugh S. Total design: integrated methods for successful product engineering. Wokingham, England: Addison-Wesley Publishing; 1991), conceptual design activity is creating and assessing design solutions to meet the PDS. Because many design features are distinct in composites, and the tailor-made nature of composites has caused the design approach to be different, conceptual design with NFC is typically different from metals. Designing with NFC is similar to designing with a traditional composite product in terms of concept. This activity entails numerous processes, including creating a design brief, information collecting, market research, and product design specifications (PDS).

THE ARCHITECTS’ AND LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS’ VIEWS ON THE DESIGN AND PLANNING OF THE HOSPITAL COURTYARD GARDENS (HCG) IN MALAYSIA

This paper presents the architects' and landscape architects' point of views on their original design intentions in designing and planning hospital courtyard gardens (HCGs) in Malaysia. Following a field observation, a semi-structured interview with two architects and two landscape architects was conducted. Additionally, the architectural design briefs for three selected Malaysian hospitals were obtained as secondary data for this study. The results revealed that the intended common design pointed out by the architects includes: i) Daylighting strategy; ii) Ventilation strategy; iii) Access to nature; and iv) Point of orientation. Landscape architects, on the other hand, are concerned with: i) Forest-like garden concept; ii) Natural and organic form instead of aesthetic appearance; iii) An escape place for relieving stress and; iv) A hang-out space for socialisation. This paper contributes to the understanding of how designers would think and determine the architectural plan and landscape design in achieving an optimal HCG design to meet the needs of the intended users.

Surveying Healthcare Workers to Improve the Design, Wearer Experience and Sustainability of PPE Isolation Gowns

This protective clothing design project responds to the urgent need for research into the redesign of personal protective equipment (PPE) isolation gowns, to be more fit for purpose and reusable to enhance the experiences of healthcare workers treating patients with COVID-19 and variants. Funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) the research addresses the engineering question: “What new materials, design and manufacturing approaches should we start to consider in preparation for pandemics e.g. reusable PPE to replace single use?” The article focuses on the online questionnaire/ survey, its main findings and the ‘participatory clothing design’ methodology which prioritises the lived experiences and expressed needs of healthcare workers wearing disposable and reusable PPE in acute care scenarios. Research methods include literature and gown reviews, selected interviews and survey directed at nurses, to acquire first-hand qualitative data about the impact of current gown design and procurement policies on wearers. Selected results and commentary from the ongoing survey are presented and thematically analysed to inform the development of reusable gowns. Semi-structured interviews with clinical leads and caregivers, as well as responses from users, will be important to integrate expertise in fashion, textile and uniform design, clinical practice, and manufacturing. Further design will be based on a complex design brief that balances the needs of wearers and critical care providers while considering regulations, protection, comfort, sustainability, and cost. This research focuses on enhancing an overlooked area of critical care clothing and the people who wear it while reducing its detrimental impact on the planet.

Enhancing acoustical design using parametric optimization of surface geometries

Raytracing is commonly used to design surface geometries. To optimize this process, we propose combining a parametric design approach with an evolutionary solver. These optimization principles are widely implemented across engineering fields and could be exploited for acoustical design. Evolutionary optimization is an iterative tool to increase the “fitness”—or optimality—of a predefined target value, in this case reflecting and non-reflecting geometries given any acoustical design brief. The iterative nature of an evolutionary solver—which evaluates each generation in terms of its proximity to the target value—enables acousticians/designers to continually assess results at different stages of the optimization process. The proposed algorithms optimize parameters such as size, shape, number or orientation of surfaces by defining raytracing target values (e.g., number of rays reaching a receiver after n-reflections, density of rays in a diffuse field). We implement this approach using standard software: the Galapagos solver within the Grasshopper framework, a parametric design tool in the Rhino 3D environment. The limitless design options offered by the parametric approach are thus made available for acoustical optimization. This method can be used on all scales of geometrical acoustics, from alignment of absorber panels to geometries of enclosed spaces, such as concert halls.

Sensory spaces: sensory living – studio teaching the design of autism-friendly adult accommodation

PurposeThe study aims to evaluate: (1) How university students from interior architecture can create a forward-looking “Sensory Living” brief informed by both external autism experts and a specialist tutor, evidenced through Leeds City Council's live autism adult accommodation project. (2) Issues involved with moving an experimental studio teaching model online during the COVID-19 pandemic.Design/methodology/approachA grounded theory approach informs an innovative teaching model, run over two years, to create a better normal; challenges and opportunities are critiqued.FindingsFeedback from experienced autism-specific experts raises recurring sensory and communication issues which frame a series of design problems to help inform the student briefs. Students learn that the designer as advocate for vulnerable users is imperative. Aspects of online teaching that can benefit an experimental studio teaching model are identified.Practical implicationsIdentification of the responsive “Sensory Living Model” illustrates (1) How local authorities can avoid seclusion and integrate meaningful “continuous learning opportunities” into autism-friendly adult accommodation for post-pandemic health and wellbeing. (2) How to embed autism-friendly design in the university curriculum.Social implicationsThe study helps address some of the UK Government's “National strategy for autistic children, young people and adults: 2021 to 2026”.Originality/value“Ten Novel Sensory Living Themes” are uncovered to help inform the design of autism-friendly adult accommodation. These are of value to (1) local authorities and design practitioners in formulating design briefs and (2) universities in educating future designers of inclusive spaces.

The utility of a standardised breath sampler in school age children within a real-world prospective study

Clinical assessment of children with asthma is problematic, and non-invasive biomarkers are needed urgently. Monitoring exhaled volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is an attractive alternative to invasive tests (blood and sputum) and may be used as frequently as required. Standardised reproducible breath-sampling is essential for exhaled-VOC analysis, and although the ReCIVA (Owlstone Medical Limited) breath-sampler was designed to satisfy this requirement, paediatric use was not in the original design brief. The efficacy of the ReCIVA at sampling breath from children has been studied, and 90 breath-samples from 64 children (5–15 years) with, and without asthma (controls), were collected with two different ReCIVA units. Seventy samples (77.8%) contained the specified 1 l of sampled-breath. Median sampling times were longer in children with acute asthma (770.2 s, range: 532.2–900.1 s) compared to stable asthma (690.6 s, range: 477.5–900.1 s; p = 0.01). The ReCIVA successfully detected operational faults, in 21 samples. A leak, caused by a poor fit of the face mask seal was the most common (15); the others were USB communication-faults (5); and, a single instance of a file-creation error. Paediatric breath-profiles were reliably monitored, however synchronisation of sampling to breathing-phases was sometimes lost, causing some breaths not to be sampled, and some to be sampled continuously. This occurred in 60 (66.7%) of the samples and was a source of variability. Importantly, multi-variate modelling of untargeted VOC analysis indicated the absence of significant batch effects for eight operational variables. The ReCIVA appears suitable for paediatric breath-sampling. Post-processing of breath-sample meta-data is recommended to assess the quality of sample-acquisition. Further, future studies should explore the effect of pump-synchronisation faults on recovered VOC profiles, and mask sizes to fit all ages will reduce the potential for leaks and importantly, provide higher levels of comfort to children with asthma.

Material Inventories and Garment Ontologies: Advancing Upcycling Methods in Fashion Practice

This study seeks to advance upcycling methods in fashion practice with the specificity of design methods that centre on revaluation and resignification of waste materials. The development of three key approaches to upcycling were tested for future application as design briefs and pedagogies in practice and education. These were developed through the acquisition, sorting and selection of a large sample of secondhand, consumer waste materials across fashion and textiles sectors. Practice-based experiments and the use of different forms of photo documentation examined and explored distinct ways to creatively understand waste material properties, conditions and potential. Fashion and material studies frameworks of object biographies, wardrobe studies, waste, secondhand material economies and art practice approaches of reclaimed materials expanded and refined the approaches. “Material Inventories” is proposed as a creative and analytical method to identify, sort and annotate pre- and post-consumer waste materials. “Garment ontologies” delineates how traditionally “design” in fashion practice is separate from materials and production. These methods enable a deeper investigation into material qualities, conditions, and reuse potential for extended life cycles. This experimental study presents novel and relevant findings with a compelling material sample and practice-based methods adjacent to scholarship in this area that are predominately theoretical- or case study-based.

A study on the link between design brief structure and stimulus fidelity to optimize novelty and usefulness

Abstract This academic-based investigation is focused on identifying elements that contribute toward the generation of efficient design briefs and their correlation with design outcomes of a sketching exercise. Four conditions are compared: a baseline group, an abstract group, a contextual information group, and a group that was given various example solutions. Via more in-depth surveys, we sought to elicit correlations between the students’ design creativity and stimuli permutations of the different design conditions. Results show that the contextual information groups, which were presented with higher levels of stimulus fidelity, had higher novelty scores, while abstract groups performed well in usefulness. These findings contribute to the formulation of design briefs where the goal is to stimulate the creativity of design outcomes and examine their relationships with student's perceptions of design exercises.

Thoughts on the Planning and Design of Environmental Education Sites From the Perspective of Pro-Environmental Behavior Intervention

Pro-environmental behavior (PEB) can help facilitate sustainable development, and PEB intervention strategies are developed to guarantee PEB effects. However, in most cases PEB intervention is attached less importance than environmental education. There is no specific programming for PEB intervention, and a full-cycle framework for planning and design that includes site operation and maintenance stages is still absent. Based on literature review and the authors’ experience on environment education activities, this article summarizes the PEB intervention strategies applicable to landscape planning and design, and comes up with a planning and design framework for environmental education sites, which consists of stages of site investigation, PEB intervention planning, development of design briefs, facility planning and design, maintenance and management programming, post-occupancy evaluation, and adjustment. The framework would provide guidance for the landscape planners and designers to improve PEB intervention effects, and offer new insights and tools for site operators and researchers.

Design Briefs: Review, Reframing Briefs, and Analysis of a Study

Design Briefs: Review, Reframing Briefs, and Analysis of a Study

An investigation into the cognitive, metacognitive, and spatial markers of creativity and efficiency in architectural design

AbstractThis paper presents a preliminary study into the spatial features that can be used to distinguish creativity andefficiency in design layouts, and the distinct pattern of cognitive and metacognitive activity that is associated with creative design. In a design experiment, a group of 12 architects were handed a design brief. Their drawing activity was recorded and they were required to externalize their thoughts during the design process. Both design solutions and verbal comments were analysed and modelled. A separate group of experienced architects used their expert knowledge to assign creativity and efficiency scores to the 12 design solutions. The design solutions were evaluated spatially. Protocol analysis studies including linkography and macroscopic analysis were used to discern distinctive patterns in the cognitive and metacognition activity of designs marked with the highest and least creativity scores. Entropy models of the linkographs and knowledge graphs were further introduced Finally, we assessed how creativity and efficiency correlates to experiment variables, cognitive activity, metacognitive activity, spatial and functional distribution of spaces in the design solutions, and the number and type of design constraints applied through the course of design. Through this investigation, we suggest that expert knowledge can be used to assess creativity and efficiency in designs. Our findings indicate that efficient layouts have distinct spatial features, and that cognitive and metacognitive activity in design that yields a highly creative outcome corresponds to higher frequencies of design moves and higher linkages between design moves.

Perspectives of Evaluation of Training (EoT) for Enhancing Professional Competence of the Hydrogeologists and Strengthening Participation of the Stakeholders – A Case Study

The paper is the outcome of one week training programme on Evaluation of Training (EoT) organised by the Administrative Training Institute (ATI), Kolkata, West Bengal from 05.09.2016 to 09.09.2016. The paper deals with a case study associated with the Induction Level Training Course (ILTC) for the newly recruited Hydrogeologists of Central Ground Water Board (CGWB). An EoT report can strengthen the professional competence of officials working with various Regional and State Unit offices of CGWB and also can ensure the stakeholders participation to achieve the desired objectives of the CGWB. The CGWB is the National Apex body entrusted with the responsibilities of providing scientific inputs for management, exploration, monitoring, assessment, augmentation and regulation of ground water resources of the country consisting of Hydrogeologists, Geophysicists, Chemists, Hydrologists, Hydrometeorologists and Engineers and has its headquarters at Faridabad, Haryana state. Major activities being taken up by CGWB include various R&D studies, exploratory drilling programme, monitoring of ground water and its management. The Rajiv Gandhi National Ground Water Training and Research Institute, Central Ground Water Board (RGNGWTRI) is the only training and research institute of CGWB and is envisaged to function as a `Centre of Excellence’ in training ground water resources personnel and objective of these trainings is to develop a pool of trained resource persons, who would be working towards sustainability of ground water resources. The paper includes detailed account of material and methods like primary and secondary data collection, SWOT, EMB factors, Interaction with faculty and trainees, Interview and observation, Feedback, Course Director’s Report (CD Report) and various EoT tool kits, Training plan design and the EOT report (withdrawal Phase). The aims and objectives, performance problems, various environmental, motivational and behavioural problems have also been incorporated in the paper. Training and Non-training recommendations, Training Plan, Priority List and Design brief are the other highlights of the paper. The EoT analysis recommends the training and non-training implications, training design, new EoT Systems with various types of activity during the ILTC. Further, the paper includes the Flip chart preparation, Recap, Presentation and Exercises involving all the trainees with an aim to fully engage and involve the trainees. In addition, the remaining highlighted features of the paper are the motivational factors to the trainee officials like various types of incentive, good entry certificate, appreciation letter from Line Managers or Senior Manager for their outstanding performance, proper transparent promotion and transfer policies and the post training external validation are to be carried out by obtaining report on the performance of the trainees from Line Managers or Senior Manager.