USER-CENTERED DIGITAL PRODUCT DESIGN

Abstract
The term design is not limited to the appearance of the final product; it encompasses elements that justify its shape and functions. It is an escalating procedure that is heavily based on research to assess the problem properly, the use of an array of user-centred design tools, the evaluation of the proposed idea, and finally, the improvement of potential drawbacks. The above-mentioned procedure is crucial to the product design methodology, which is not linear but characterised by a repeated rhythm, providing the opportunity for more efficient products to emerge. In the present paper, a number of digital product design tools were used as a medium for developing a potential recreational concept vehicle. The project reflects a vision to design a vehicle whose design characteristics could correlate with Mediterranean tradition and summer holiday habits. As a result, it could be equipped with technical elements that facilitate motion on soft terrains. Furthermore, a series of creativity tools was used to transform the research data into design inspiration, to achieve optimal outcomes during the design process, and to prototype technologies/methods to provide insights into the form and functionality of the design solution.