'Being a Humanitarian Designer...’ Project Proposal (2) A product which forms a part of my daily life right now is the travel power- adapter. For me it serves as a daily reminder of me being away from home. I feel as a product it integrates me into European continental living.
How can I grow as a person and as a designer in the world, and what do I need for that? I'd like to understand the value I give products. Are my feelings universal? I want design sensitive to people's emotional needs; to understand people. The cherished components of life are those that have emotional value. I feel the true value of some products is not acknowledged. For me doing this project will give me a valuable insight into the mind of the users. How products are perceived. But also I will learn about my own perspective in comparison to others. I have a key interest in the mind of the user and by understanding how my own values translate to others could be extremely valuable in the field of design. In what way will I ask for coaching/help/ cooperation from the people around me and what do I need from them? I understand the importance of a participary design approach. I feel in Eindhoven I can apply this way of thinking within this project with the resources here in Eindhoven.
Before the 'travel adapter' was to me a product you needed on trips- holidays. Now forming a part of my daily life it is a small reminder of British incompatibility- which the rest of Europe. I want to understand other user's view-points . It is a simple product allowing people to use electrical items from home, away from home. It allows people to move freely about the world with their own electrical products- for pleasure or business.
Most crucially- I need contact with the product users. When looking at the idea of travel adapters; I will need contact with international people who come from countries not using the connection used in their present location. Existing contacts; Design Academy Eindhoven/ TUE/ Phillips Interns/ other friends.
The adapter serves the purpose- but I feel it's meaning and true value are maybe underestimated.
Why is the project I aim to imply important for me and the world we live in, and in what way does it help me achieve my goal?
I have began research by submitting a survey to the users of adapters here in Eindhoven, NL and other people I know living away from home also using adapters. I wanted to hear of their experiences and ...I wanted to find out the relation they have with this product. Eindhoven is home to a large number of foreign people living for extended periods away from home.
By designing recognising people's emotional connection- forging these links within the design form- products become less disposable. A book I really admire by Jonathan Chapman called 'Emotionally Durable Design' promotes how the relationship the user has with the product can influence the products lifespan dramatically. Travel Adapters through their context hold a lot of metaphysical values. By adding this value in the physical form of a product it in itself will become more valuable, in theory.
Later in the product I might need an expert of technical issues related to the product. My father is an electrician. I might also contact Technical University Eindhoven.
What is my goal?
Further considerations: For me I also find it can be difficult to attach/ un-attach, I am switching the 2 adapters I have from appliance- toappliance regularly. I question how easy this is for older people (less strength, grip and associated pains). I also find it difficult to tessellate the adapters around the wall sockets and extension multi-sockets.
I want to become a designer who is focused on the connection to the user. I want to be able to install new values into products. I want to be an innovator not in terms of material choice or application of technology but in recognising people values and designing with those in mind. What is the tangible product I want to work towards?- what steps will I take for each meeting? I want to experiment with a series of different models- looking at user interaction and perceived value. I will create an end product, or maybe a series of experimental proposals which communicates user perception/ emotional values.