Understanding and classifying the role of design demonstrators in scientific exploration

This paper describes the development of a model for classifying the different type of ‘design demonstrator’ that might be used in translating scientific activity from the laboratory to the market. Two detailed case studies are described in which designers worked closely with scientists. In one of the projects, the scientists were seeking to commercialise their research. In the other, the research was at an early stage and the scientists had not considered commercialisation. Different types of physical artefact produced in these collaborative projects were analysed to identify the extent to which they might contribute to science, technology, application or market. Evidence indicates that demonstrators might fulfil multiple purposes and that the translation from science to market is more complicated than is often shown in linear models. An original classification of the role of demonstrators through this journey is provided.This work was funded by the United Kingdom’s Engineering and Physical Sciences Research, [Grant Number EP/E001769/1]

Measuring design investment in firms: conceptual foundations and exploratory UK survey

The importance of design to company and national performance has been widely discussed, with a number of studies investigating the value or impact of design on performance. However, none of these studies has measured design investment as an input against which performance can be compared. As yet, there is no established way in which design investment might be measured. Without such a method, we cannot develop a reliable picture, akin to that for R&D spending, on the impact of design spending on company performance. This paper presents a conceptual framework for the measurement of design investment and applies this framework in a survey of UK firms. The framework describes design as being part of the creation and commercialization of new products and services. The survey highlights some surprising patterns of design spend in the reported sample and demonstrates the viability of the underpinning framework. A revised framework is proposed that situates design investment in the context of R&D. The model has implications for policy makers trying to understand the role and scale of design in the private sector, for managers wishing to optimize their design investments and for academics seeking to measure the value of design.This work was carried out as part of the Design Scoreboard project funded by the Design for the 21st Century initiative of the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). The Design Council of the UK also provided financial support for the survey as well as valuable input and commentary throughout

Understand sustainable packaging design in practice

© 2018 Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture. All Rights Reserved. Packaging waste is known to be a significant problem for firms and society. Packaging materials constitute 65% of global solid waste. Increasingly, the cost of processing packaging waste is being directed to firms through legislation and stricter regulations. However, the sustainable packaging work in practice remains unclear and the packaging waste is still an issue. To solve this problem, seven interviews were conducted with the sustainable packaging tool users and tool providers. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed. It is clear that there are gaps between tool providers and users.R and D Management Associatio

“The Pandemic is Just Happening on Top of a Pandemic for Us”. Unpaid Carers’ Experiences of Lockdown in the UK: A Thematic Analysis

Context: With reduced access to medical and social support during the COVID-19 pandemic, the level of support provided by unpaid carers over the lockdown period in the UK was higher than ever. However, the experience of unpaid carers during this period is often overlooked. Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the question ‘what has been the experience of unpaid carers during lockdown?’. Method: Eighteen unpaid carers, caring for a family member(s) with physical, learning, mental health, or behavioral disabilities, were interviewed about their experience of lockdown in the UK. Thematic analysis was utilized. Findings: Three overarching themes created: (a) The value of support, (b) Non-stop care, and (c) Risk to health. A central theme of mental health was also created and discussed across the three overarching themes, rather than individually, due to its extensivity. Support for unpaid carers during the lockdown became more important than ever due to the higher risk to physical and mental health (of both the carer and dependent) and the lack of respite available. Limitations: Due to volunteer sampling, the evidence in this report is largely based on the perspectives of female carers’, with all but two participants being female. Implications: Findings raise implications for prioritizing the return of in-person medical appointments post-pandemic and ensuring the continuation of support services for unpaid carers during a pandemic

Exploratory study of the state of environmentally conscious design in the medical device industry

This exploratory study seeks to explore the current state of design for the environment (DfE) in the development of medical devices; an historically risk averse industry that lags behind others in terms of addressing environmental considerations. A cross-sectional survey of 34 medical device designers, primarily in the UK and USA, was conducted in order to fulfil this objective. Findings indicate that there is significant motivation to enhance DfE practice, but that there are multiple barriers to this. Major barriers identified are a perception of the high cost of DfE, the industry’s current reliance on a single-use business model for many current products and a lack of education about DfE topics on all sides. Designers felt that the most significant opportunities to implement DfE are in situations where they are able to exert direct control, mainly in the early stages of the design process. Issues noted include raw material choice and packaging decisions. The nature of single use business models is also critical, pointing towards the needs for a systemic rather than product focus. For this to be achieved, financial rewards must be evident to firms and the changing regulatory landscape might also make a more significant impact.This research was supported using funding from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) in the United Kingdom, grant number EP/E001769/1.This is the final version of the article. It first appeared from Elsevier via http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2015.06.01

A maturity grid assessment tool for environmentally conscious design in the medical device industry

The medical device industry is growing increasingly concerned about environmental impact of products. Whilst there are many tools aiming to support environmentally conscious design, they are typically complex to use, demand substantial data collection and are not tailored to the specific needs of the medical device sector. This paper reports on the development of a Maturity Grid to address this gap. This novel design tool was developed iteratively through application in five case studies. The tool captures principles of eco-design for medical devices in a simple form, designed to be used by a team. This intervention tool provides designers and product marketers with insights on how to improve the design of their medical devices and specifically allows consideration of the complex trade-offs between decisions that influence different life-cycle stages. Through the tool, actionable insight is created that supports decisions to be made within the realm of design engineers and beyond. The tool highlights areas which are influenced by design decisions taken, some of which are perceived to be outside of the direct control of designers.This work was by the United Kingdom’s Engineering and Physical Sciences Research, [Grant Number EP/E001769/1]