User-Centered Design

Introduction

• Topic: User-Centered Design (UCD)
• Importance in online platforms and physical products.
• Direct impact on business: ease of use correlates with higher sales.

Issues with Physical Products

• Many products (e.g., helmets) are difficult to use due to:
  • Legislation constraints
  • Material properties
• Example: Motorcycle helmets often uncomfortable, leading to non-use.

Case Study: Helmet Design

• Story of Mandar Kale (2007):
  • Student affected by friend's death in a motorcycle accident due to helmet non-use.
  • Highlighted the need for encouraging helmet use.
• Statistics:
  • 140,000 deaths due to motorcycle accidents in 2015.
  • Increase in helmet compliance due to stricter fines.

Challenges in Helmet Design

• Comfort vs. Safety:
  • Need to create comfortable yet safe helmets.
• Understanding user context:
  • Cultural and socio-economic factors affect helmet design and usage.
• Product Planning:
  • Importance of variety in design to cater to different users.

Market Research and Findings

• Research showed:
  • High rates of head injuries and fatalities from motorcycle accidents.
  • Injuries often result from blunt trauma to the head.
• Observations revealed:
  • Many people avoid wearing helmets due to discomfort.
  • Hot weather conditions exacerbate the issue.

Testing and Comparisons

• Analysis of helmets from various price ranges:
  • Roadside helmets outperformed branded ones in crash tests.
  • Key finding: More effective use of thermocol (EPS) in roadside helmets.

Material Studies

• Exploration of high-end materials (e.g., Kevlar, Lexan) for potential applications.
• Examination of standards set by international bodies:
  • Standards often based on cold weather testing, not applicable to Indian conditions.

User-Centric Design Process

• Important considerations for helmet design:
  • Easy to carry and store
  • Good ventilation
  • Lightweight
  • Secure fit without wobbling
  • Unobstructed vision
  • Facilitated hearing
• Product Brief:
  • A brief is essential to guide development and ensure user needs are met.

Concept Development

• Emphasis on brainstorming for diverse solutions.
• Examples of innovative ideas:
  • Scarf-style closures for easier wear.
  • Ventilation enhancements through design.
  • Various storage solutions for convenience.
• Ideas clustered into themes for focused development:
  • Ventilation Cluster
  • Storage Cluster
  • Ease of Wearing Cluster

Final Concept Development

• Integration of feedback and ideas into a final design:
  • Combination of features to enhance usability while maintaining safety.
• Concept A focused on ventilation and user comfort, with innovative strap design eliminating traditional buckles.

Conclusion

• The importance of user-centered design in creating effective, market-relevant products, particularly in the safety segment.