Abstract
Abstract: Many medical and assistive devices are experienced as unpleasant and uncomfortable. On top of their discomfort, product users may also experience social
unease. We label this process “product-related stigma” (PRS). This paper presents two measuring techniques that aim to objectively assess the
‘degree’ of PRS that is ‘attached’ to products. Both experiments focus on the behavioral deviations in the walking path of passers-by during a public and
unprepared encounter with a user of a stigma-sensitive product (dust mask). The ‘Dyadic Distance Experiment’ measures exact interpersonal distances, whereas
the ‘Stain Dilemma Experiment’ presents the passer-by with a choice in his walking path.
Both experimental techniques are predominantly suited as comparison tools, able to compare products on their PRS-eliciting potential.
Designers and developers can use these results to justify design decisions with quantitative data, to assess which product properties have influenced certain
reactions, and to what extent subsequent improvements have been successful.
unease. We label this process “product-related stigma” (PRS). This paper presents two measuring techniques that aim to objectively assess the
‘degree’ of PRS that is ‘attached’ to products. Both experiments focus on the behavioral deviations in the walking path of passers-by during a public and
unprepared encounter with a user of a stigma-sensitive product (dust mask). The ‘Dyadic Distance Experiment’ measures exact interpersonal distances, whereas
the ‘Stain Dilemma Experiment’ presents the passer-by with a choice in his walking path.
Both experimental techniques are predominantly suited as comparison tools, able to compare products on their PRS-eliciting potential.
Designers and developers can use these results to justify design decisions with quantitative data, to assess which product properties have influenced certain
reactions, and to what extent subsequent improvements have been successful.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Proceedings of DRS 2016 |
| Subtitle of host publication | Design + Research + Society Future, Future-Focused Thinking |
| Editors | Peter Lloyd, Erik Bohemia |
| Place of Publication | London |
| Publisher | The Design Research Society |
| Pages | 3329-3348 |
| Number of pages | 20 |
| Volume | 3 |
| Publication status | Published - 2016 |
| Event | DRS 2016: Design + Research + Society, Future-Focused Thinking, The 50th Anniversary DRS Conference - Brighton, United Kingdom Duration: 27 Jun 2016 → 30 Jun 2016 http://www.drs2016.org/#drs2016 |
Publication series
| Name | DRS International Conference Series |
|---|---|
| Publisher | The Design Society |
| ISSN (Electronic) | 2398-3132 |
Conference
| Conference | DRS 2016 |
|---|---|
| Country/Territory | United Kingdom |
| City | Brighton |
| Period | 27/06/16 → 30/06/16 |
| Internet address |
Keywords
- Product Semantics
- Design for health
- Design and Emotion
- Inclusive Design