Design Challenge:
By analysing sub cultures of computer use, it is clear that there are many different computer needs for many different professions which rely on the technology of the computer. By defining these professions and analysing their needs we see that there are many user requirements which general "one for all" computer systems cannot satisfy, leaving many niche opportunities for new hardware solutions. The difference in requirements between a mobile worker, for example, such as a qualitative market researcher, which is the target market for this project, and a digital craftsperson, for instance, cannot be more distinct. This is a good example of our CONTEXT OF USE design solutions where we create innovative design solutions for specific forms of Human Computer Interaction.
The challenge here was to design a product around the needs, socio-cultural nature, and typical day of the qualitative market researcher. Our findings where gathered with the help of Fusion, a qualitative market research
firm based in London.
Design Solution:
This product is designed around the metaphor of a clipboard, a mobile phone, and a dictaphone. The system has two distinct units: the tablet pc itself, which has the function of a digital pen based clipboard, and the wireless communication device, which has the multi-functional role of a hand-held organiser, dictaphone and camera based communication system. The product has a pen device for taking notes and controlling the tablet software, which can transfer digital information with the detachable communication device.
The communication device has three connecting units which unfolds to reveal a camera based third generation video phone on one side and a touch screen organiser on the other. The device can be folded when not in use and "clipped" on to the clipboard to transfer information to the main unit such as recorded research data, video clips, voice recordings etc. The communication device can sit in the middle of a conference room to record sound and video whilst being controlled remotely with the main tablet. As a video link it can also be positioned by pointing the camera to the user on the surface of a desk, allowing it to be used without being held.
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