High Touch: Ergonomics in a conceptual design process - Case studies of a remote controller and personal telephones

In manually used consumer electronic products such as a remote controller and a telephone, integration of ergonomic principles into design is greatly emphasized. However, few attempts have been made to systematically include ergonomic design to product design. High Touch process developed by the first author provides a systematic means for ergonomic design of consumer products. In this paper, application of High Touch process to the design of a hand-held remote controller and personal telephones is demonstrated. High Touch process includes hierarchical structure of design variables, relationship matrix among design variables, and systematic evaluation of potential product functions. Many unique functions of remote controller and telephone that enhance user convenience were found out using the analysis scheme proposed by High Touch process. A consumer survey of the prototypes showed that High Touch functions were very well-received by potential customers. Relevance to industry. Although consumer needs or preferences for better and more customized products force manufactures to put emphasis on ergonomic design, too often design and development of consumer products has been done as if it were independent of human needs and characteristics. High Touch is an ergonomic design process that enables designers to systematically consider the consumer's viewpoint right from the design stage to market launching. Using this process, a remote controller and three types of personal telephone are successfully developed.