BRIEDE WESTERMEYER, JUAN CARLOS

This article describes the use and application of a new methodology that has been developed for the conceptual design of new products, which emphasizes those innovating characteristics in design processes, thus fostering creative development. This is a dynamic model based on a cyclic thought that keeps the prescriptions that have been applied or decided without restrain by the designer. It comprises a broad range of disjointing and development degrees regarding their definition, while making it possible to record information during the whole process. Its application and further analysis for product conceptual development, such as their use in research works makes it feasible to undertake fundamental issues with respect to design and to have them transferred as the design own characteristics. Likewise, a teaching practice where the design has been used in engineering is shown, along with the outcomes that have been achieved. This model was applied in two groups of students who had some experience in product design. The model has assumed timing decrease, which in turn brought about results when compared with previous years. The use of this model manages knowledge on a separate fashion while using drawings as a representative synthesis, based on theoretical models that make up the product theoretical features according to the objectives that had been established. This model can be used as a guideline, since it completely states working patterns and, therefore, providing greater benefits, since in besides guiding students/designers in its application, it also implies an organized and structured manner of information gathering, thus making the suggested product further introduction and reasoning easier.

This paper describes the development and implementation of a visual model that allows organization of the morphological referents, starting from the conceptual proposal, for a new product design. The study of the context and its referent objects are recognized and taken into consideration within the initial stage of the design process. Much of the information gathered in this stage is often relegated and not actively considered in the conceptual development of a product. On the other hand, the freedom and lack of systematization that exists to address the formal development, starting from the conceptual proposal stage, triggers an uncertain and unclear development scene. This visual model seeks to associate morphological referents in their diverse levels with the concepts and attributes that define the conceptual proposal stage and present them in an integral diagram that furthers and expands the exploration of formal development. A 4th year design workshop in the industrial design major was implemented at the Universidad del Bío-Bío, wherein the utilization of the model within the proposal phase and its comparative impact with other traditional thematic workshops was carried out and evaluated. The application allowed for the expansion and diversification of creative development design solutions, oriented towards the innovation, in addition to serving as a map that could register the decision making in the design process, within the design team standpoint or from the point of view of the client. The following paper presents a description and application of this model in the teaching of design and discusses its implications on an educational and professional level.

There are two types of occupants in nursing homes: older adults and caregivers. Because the former has different physiological qualities, they are more sensitive to high and low temperatures, presenting discrepancies with caregivers regarding thermal sensation. The objective of this exploratory research was to determine to what extent the range of thermal comfort differed between older adults and caregivers in three nursing homes in Gran Concepción. Indoor and outdoor temperature and relative humidity were monitored during winter and spring. Simultaneously, a thermal sensation and preference survey was applied while clothing insulation, metabolic rate, and adaptive responses were observed. Neutral temperature was calculated using Griffiths’ method for both groups to determine the comfort ranges and compare them. The older adults presented a higher neutral temperature than the caregivers with a difference of 0.8 °C in winter and 1.74 °C in spring. Regarding the adaptive response, both occupant types performed the same actions to achieve comfort, but older adults had less control over these. It is hoped that this study can lay the groundwork regarding comfort temperatures for older adults in Chile and integrate a discussion regarding their well-being on a local and global scale.

Introduction: By 2050, older adults will constitute 16% of the world population; hence, there is an urgent demand and challenge to design solutions (products and services) that meet the needs of this age group. This study sought to analyse the needs that impact the well-being of Chilean older adults and present possible solutions through the design of products. Methodology: A qualitative study was used, where focus groups were held with older adults, industrial designers, health professionals, and entrepreneurs on the needs and design of solutions for older adults. Results: A general map was obtained that linked the categories and subcategories related to the relevant needs and solutions, which were then classified in a framework. Conclusions: The resulting proposal places the needs in different fields of expertise; and thus, enables positioning, broadening, and expanding upon the map to share knowledge, between the user and key experts, to co-create solutions.