Research

Industrial design-Interaction design and UX

Rigorous UX research helps to build strategic decisions in the design and development of a product, system or service. The term “product” is used here as a generalization to cover the connectivity between new-age products spanning the paradigm of Industry 4.0 and 5.0.

The 4th Industrial revolution (Industry 4.0) is the name given to the current trend of connecting digital and physical technologies for automation and data exchange in manufacturing technologies. It includes cyber-physical systems, artificial intelligence, the internet of things, additive manufacturing, cognitive computing, robotics and cloud computing (Hanley, Daecher, Cotteleer, & Sniderman, 2018; “Industry 4.0,” 2019). There exists a complex relationship between the connectivity of information exchange and user interaction between the physical and digital domains. This further calls for seamless integration of these domains to enhance the user experience (UX) for the demographic being designed for.

UX Research spans cross-functional disciplines of industrial design, interaction design and usability engineering.  Every physical product, artifact, device, equipment, machinery and transportation solution that we interact with on a daily basis is influenced by industrial-interaction design. As consumers, we do not simply choose or purchase products; we are buying into a perceived lifestyle, perceived value or a perceived desire. The aspects of UX transcend standard 2D interactivity (screen-based interactions)  to 3D interactions.

While industrial design focuses on the design of mass manufactured products from a human-centred solution, interaction design overlaps with the former in the understanding of users’ needs and the process of designing unique interactions (Rogers, Sharp, & Preece, 2002). Interaction design (IxD) is a subset of user experience (UX) design and focuses on the design of human interactions with critical scrutiny of users’ needs, limitations, barriers to usage and convenience of interactivity (“Interaction Design,” 2018).

While IxD, as applied to human-computer interaction (HCI) (King & Chang, 2016), has historically focused on two-dimensional interactivity related to graphical user interfaces (GUIs) as applied to apps, websites, and digital interfaces, the realm of IxD also expands into three-dimensional interactions as applied to products, spatial environments and systems (Nintendo Wii , Microsoft Kinect, gestural interactions). This overlaps with the design of physical products using the industrial design methodology. In this methodology, designing human interactions between connected physical products and digital representations incorporates ethnography, needs analysis of a specific demographic and incorporation of ergonomics and human factors principles. Therefore, the industrial – interaction design methodology encompasses designing solutions based on human interaction design principles. These principles relating physical to digital technology integration were expounded in numerous case studies ranging from the first computer, the GRID Compass to the multi-modal interactivity experienced in the Nintendo Wii (Bill Moggridge, 2007).

In the case of devices where physical and digital domains converge in smart devices such as smartphones (IPhone, Samsung), thermostats (Nest), physical activity trackers (Fitbit), smart watches (Apple watch), to mention a few, the industrial and interaction design principles come to fruition. On the other hand, medical devices that enable surgeons to perform remote-controlled operations, CNC machines that demand the understanding of operator workflow as a physically interactive experience translated into a two-dimensional screen-based control system all involve industrial and interaction design analysis. Such devices involve human interaction design, human factors and ergonomics. Therefore, UX cannot be limited to screen-based interactions but extends to include the physicality of the experience apparent in industrial design solutions.

Detailed UX research spans various domains as follows:

  • Consumer products (physical handheld products, devices, equipment, machines, tools, safety gear and transportation solutions to mention a few)
  • Software and mobile app design
  • Gamification research, analysis and development
  • Game design and development
  • Health and wellness solutions

Our expertise spans the design and implementation of UX research methods based on the context of use, applicability of research and relevance of usability protocols. Detailed examples of UX research studies can be assessed at our research Blog Gamefulplay.ca and Google Scholar

References:

  • Bill Moggridge. (2007). Designing Interactions (3rd ed.). MA: MIT Press.
  • Hanley, T., Daecher, A., Cotteleer, M., & Sniderman, B. (2018). The Industry 4 . 0 paradox Overcoming disconnects on the path to digital transformation. Retrieved from https://www2.deloitte.com/insights/us/en/focus/industry-4-0/challenges-on-path-to-digital-transformation/physical-digital-physical-loop.html
  • Industry 4.0. (2019). Retrieved June 3, 2019, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Industry_4.0
  • Interaction Design. (2018). Retrieved June 3, 2019, from https://www.interaction-design.org/literature/topics/interaction-design
  • King, S., & Chang, K. (2016). Understanding Industrial Design: Principles for UX and Interaction Design (First). Sebastopol, CA: O’Reilly.
  • Rogers, Y., Sharp, H., & Preece, J. (2002). Interaction Design: Beyond Human – Computer Interaction (2nd ed.). NJ: John Wiley & Sons.