Tommaso Ingrassia
University of Palermo, Italy
Elio Lombardo
University of Palermo, Italy
Vincenzo Nigrelli
University of Palermo, Italy
Giovanni Sabatinom
University of Palermo, Italy
Download article
Published in: 11th QMOD Conference. Quality Management and Organizational Development Attaining Sustainability From Organizational Excellence to SustainAble Excellence; 20-22 August; 2008 in Helsingborg; Sweden
Linköping Electronic Conference Proceedings 33:43, p. 515-525
Published: 2008-12-09
ISBN:
ISSN: 1650-3686 (print), 1650-3740 (online)
Originality/value: The paper describes a conceptual design process focused on client emotions that integrates the Kansei methodology with virtual reality systems.
Purpose: The virtual reality techniques; kinds of human-computer interfaces; and how the analyses in virtual reality environment can improve the conceptual design of products are described. The application of Kansei methodology and virtual reality techniques to the conceptual design of a multi-task equipment is also analysed.
Methodology/approach: The followed approach consisted in three main phases: the use of Kansei methodology to identify the users emotional needs; the building of digital models through 3D CAD software; the evaluation of some prototypes by some users in the Virtual Reality laboratory of the “Dipartimento di Meccanica” of Palermo; in order to choose the best concept.
Findings: Kansei Engineering integrated with virtual reality turns out to be the technique that better satisfies the requirements of a collaborative and emotional design; in particular it may be used during the iterative phases of design and verification process; as it would allow to test the usability of various solutions in a very powerful; fast and easy way.
Kansei engineering; conceptual design; virtual concepts; virtual reality evaluation
