How to design and prototype an information appliance in 24 hours - Integrating product & interface design processes

Abstract

One of two papers in this submission (see Output 2) resulting from an exercise set by the Audi Design Foundation, which required an information appliance to be produced from brief to prototype in 24 hours. Although this paper was published second, it was written first, and contextualises the author’s techniques with others. It describes some of the most common development methods for information appliances before describing the 24-hour project in which the Information Ergonomics (IE) System (see Output 1) was tested. The paper critically evaluates the results of the case study with a view to directing further work in the area.

Designing and prototyping an information appliance in 24 hours was an extreme trial of the IE System, which was integrated into the design process and implemented in the conceptualisation, development, production and client presentation phases. The exercise proved that the system worked, and, critically, that it could be integrated into the design process at all stages and levels of fidelity. The importance of this is that there is a major differentiator between this method and other technology-based research, which tends to be more isolationist and less designer-oriented.

A critical impact was that it played an important part in persuading Sony-Ericsson’s SmartPhone division to implement the IE System in its Medium Term Strategic Development Plan. A key reason for that adoption was the identification of low, medium and high fidelity mock up stages in the design process, which highlighted the importance of low fidelity, a key finding with substantial process ramifications. The work helped to inform (and was informed by) collaborations at the time with Samsung Design Europe and Alloy Product Design who employed the system in practice. Gill wrote the paper. Loudon had some advisory input with other co-authors' contributions being primarily at the event itself.