Combining scenarios and virtual reality into a new approach to including users in product design processes Online publication date: Sun, 12-Jul-2009
by Mascha C. Van Der Voort, Martijn Tideman
J. of Design Research (JDR), Vol. 7, No. 4, 2008
Abstract: This article presents a new participatory design approach that specifically supports the design of products that are new, complex and involve many different stakeholders. For this type of product, specific conditions need to be fulfilled in order to facilitate the participation of stakeholders in the design process. Using scenarios and virtual reality simulation, non-designers (e.g. users) are given a proactive role in the design process. Within a dedicated design environment, stakeholders are allowed to create their own designs and immediately test these in a wide variety of scenarios. The new participatory design approach was evaluated by applying it to the design of a lane-change support system. The evaluation revealed that the new approach is viable and fulfilled five identified conditions for the effective and efficient involvement of stakeholders in order to identify their preferences and finding the best compromise between those preferences.
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