“Nobody other than me knows what I want”: Customizing a sports watch

Abstract. In order for companies to effectively use customization as a design strategy, there should be understanding on what users would like to customize and why. This study explores the use of customization features of sports watch in order to assess the extent of customization, and to identify reasons for customization in this context. Survey data from 100 users of a sports watch were analyzed to understand how they use the different customization features: general preferences, functionality and appearance. The findings show that although the users vary in the use of customization, they state similar reasons for customization: control, ease-of-use, increased effectiveness, and better fit to personal preferences. The motivation to customize in this context is for the most part related to autonomy: to the sense of control the user has by having the tool to adapt the product according to own preferences, wants and needs

Studying the ability to use sport watches when running - insights from a small pilot study

Digitalization is a phenomenon that seems to affect all aspects of contemporary society. The sports domain is by no means excluded from this development. In sports, the sport watch might be one of the most iconic symbols in how digitalization has enhanced, changed and developed how physical activities are experienced and measured. Despite the massive adoption of sport watches among runners and other athletes, few studies have explored how sports watches are used in the specific activity they are designed for. The study presented in this research in progress paper is small and should be viewed as a small attempt to outline an approach to study digital technology use in sports activities

Assessing the value of 3D printed personalised products

As end-users become more involved in personalising designs, Additive Manufacturing has become an enabler to deliver this service through the manipulation of three-dimensional designs using easy-to- use design toolkits. Consequently, end-users are able to fabricate their personalised designs through various types of AM systems. This study employs an experimental method to investigate end-users’ reflections on the value of 3D Printed personalised products based on Product Value and Experiential Value. The results suggest that end-users gave higher value to all measurements for the 3D Printed personalised products. This indicates that 3D Printed personalised products have increased perceived value when compared to standard mass-production counterparts

The value of personalised consumer product design facilitated through additive manufacturing technology

This research attempted to discover how Additive Manufacturing (AM) can best be used to increase the value of personalised consumer products and how designers can be assisted in finding an effective way to facilitate value addition within personalisable product designs. AM has become an enabler for end-users to become directly involved in product personalisation through the manipulation of three-dimensional (3D) designs of the product using easy-to-use design toolkits. In this way, end-users are able to fabricate their own personalised designs using various types of AM systems. Personalisation activity can contribute to an increment in the value of a product because it delivers a closer fit to user preferences. The research began with a literature review that covered the areas of product personalisation, additive manufacturing, and consumer value in product design. The literature review revealed that the lack of methods and tools to enable designers to exploit AM has become a fundamental challenge in fully realising the advantages of the technology. Consequently, the question remained as to whether industrial designers are able to identify the design characteristics that can potentially add value to a product, particularly when the product is being personalised by end-users using AM-enabled design tools and systems. A new value taxonomy was developed to capture the relevant value attributes of personalised AM products. The value taxonomy comprised two first-level value types: product value and experiential value. It was further expanded into six second-level value components: functional value, personal-expressive value, sensory value, unique value, co-design value, and hedonic value. The research employed a survey to assess end-users value reflection on personalised features; measuring their willingness to pay (WTP) and their intention to purchase a product with personalised features. Thereafter, an experimental study was performed to measure end-users opinions on the value of 3D-printed personalised products based on the two value types: product value and experiential value. Based on the findings, a formal added value identification method was developed to act as a design aid tool to assist designers in preparing a personalisable product design that embodies value-adding personalisation features within the product. The design method was translated into a beta-test version paper-based design workbook known as the V+APP Design Method: Design Workbook. The design aid tool was validated by expert designers. In conclusion, this research has indicated that the added value identification method shows promise as a practical and effective method in aiding expert designers to identify the potential value-adding personalisation features within personalisable AM products, ensuring they are able to fully exploit the unique characteristics and value-adding design characteristics enabled by AM. Finally, the limitations of the research have been explained and recommendations made for future work in this area