Changing assumption for the design process – New roles of the active end user

Authors

  • Monika Hestad Design Planner, Plan Strategic Ltd., London

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7577/formakademisk.82

Abstract

The aim of this article is to discuss how end user involvement in all stages of a product life cycle changes the assumptions of the design process. This article is based on a literature review and three case studies – Imsdal (Ringnes/Carlsberg), Jordan and Stokke. Several examples of how consumers or users are involved in various stages of the product life cycle are presented. The product development is affected both by end users’ activity and by previous knowledge of the product. The use of the product is changing the meaning, and even the disposal of the product is affecting how the product is perceived. The product becomes part of a cultural and historical context in which the end user is actively shaping.  

Author Biography

Monika Hestad, Design Planner, Plan Strategic Ltd., London

Monika Hestad is a Design Planner in the London-based company Plan Strategic Ltd. She completed a PhD in industrial design at the Oslo School of Architecture and Design (AHO) in 2008, and received a Master of Industrial Design (sivilindustridesigner) degree from the same institution in 2002. Hestad ran her own design consultancy from 2003 to 2008.

Published

2009-12-31

How to Cite

Hestad, M. (2009). Changing assumption for the design process – New roles of the active end user. FormAkademisk, 2(2). https://doi.org/10.7577/formakademisk.82

Issue

Section

Articles

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