Expert validation of touch point method in ideation process based on user benefit and creativity

Abstract

"You've got to start with the user experience and work backward to the technology"-Steve Jobs. This study demonstrates the importance of understanding the user before undergoing the engineering design process. Recently, many researchers in the design engineering fieldwork focussed on the early phase of the design process due to decision making. There are many tools developed to gather and understand user needs. Touch Point method is an example of a user-oriented design approach that focuses on gathering user needs. In this study, Touch Point method is taken as the experimental method to compare with a controlled method of the design process. Participants are the 4th year Mechanical Engineering students of UTM, JB, whom separated into two groups. They are trained with different approaches - Touch Point method and traditional design process - and are required to solve a same problem. Outcomes are in the form of detailed sketching of design concept. Every design concepts produced by both groups are evaluated by seven design experts. They evaluate the design concept via user benefit, originality and feasibility criteria. Significant effect also identified for originality, with negative correlation. Results are discussed. In conclusion, this study proves the importance of understanding user needs during early stage of the design process.