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| − | = Overview = | + | = Overview<br/> = |
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| | = Democratic Design = | | = Democratic Design = |
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| | #Sustainable | | #Sustainable |
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| − | These factors can also be used in modern energy technologies design (i.e. efficient stoves and Pico PV lamps). ‘Products should be designed understanding that people want them to work, and to make life easier (function), that are beautiful (form), demand value for money (quality), care about the environment (sustainability) and are affordable (low price)’. <ref name="IKEA">IKEA. (2017, January). Why good design is democratic. Ikea Catalog. Design for Everyone. Retrieved from http://www.ikea-canada.com/newcatalogue2016/ikea_catalogue_en.pdf</ref> | + | These factors can also be used in modern energy technologies design (i.e. efficient stoves and Pico PV lamps). ‘Products should be designed understanding that people want them to work, and to make life easier (function), that are beautiful (form), demand value for money (quality), care about the environment (sustainability) and are affordable (low price)’. <ref name="IKEA">IKEA. (2017, January). Why good design is democratic. Ikea Catalog. Design for Everyone. Retrieved from http://www.ikea-canada.com/newcatalogue2016/ikea_catalogue_en.pdf</ref><br/> |
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| − | Perhaps it is important not to think about low prices as the absolute key factor to ensure low-income households to purchase a certain technology. Nowadays different [[Portal:Financing and Funding|financial schemes]] have been deployed in order to facilitate energy access ([[Financing Mechanisms for Cookstove Dissemination|Financing Mechanisms for Cookstove Dissemination]], [[Financing Models for Solar Home Systems|Financing Models for Solar Home Systems]], [[Use of Microfinance Institutions (MFI) for Renewable Energy Technologies|Use of Microfinance Institutions for Renewable Energy Technologies]]).<br/> | + | Perhaps it is important not to think about low prices as the absolute key factor to ensure low-income households to purchase a certain technology. Nowadays, different [[Portal:Financing and Funding|financial schemes]] have been deployed in order to facilitate energy access ([[Financing Mechanisms for Cookstove Dissemination|Financing Mechanisms for Cookstove Dissemination]], [[Financing Models for Solar Home Systems|Financing Models for Solar Home Systems]], [[Use of Microfinance Institutions (MFI) for Renewable Energy Technologies|Use of Microfinance Institutions for Renewable Energy Technologies]]). Therefore, affordability should not be the primary aspect of a purchasing decision by a household or at least not the only one.<br/> |
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| | Over the decades, continue development in design of stove allowed improved as a result of caring not only about the shape of things, but doing things better according to people’s needs and wishes. This have been possible thanks to the feedback provided by final users and taking a democratic design approach influencing from the conception to the final product. | | Over the decades, continue development in design of stove allowed improved as a result of caring not only about the shape of things, but doing things better according to people’s needs and wishes. This have been possible thanks to the feedback provided by final users and taking a democratic design approach influencing from the conception to the final product. |
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| − | = Design User-Centred = | + | = User-Centred Design<br/> = |
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| − | Users dominate the market and therefore have the capability to determine the success of failure of a product. Consequently it is uttermost to pay attention to the users’ needs and their cultural context to combine with technical factors when designing/ improving a product. In 2012 the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) carried out [https://www.sei-international.org/mediamanager/documents/Publications/Atmospheric/sei-wp-2012-03-cookstoves.pdf a study applying a qualitative ‘generative’ research methodology]<br/> | + | Users dominate the market and therefore have the capability to determine the success of failure of a product. Consequently, it is uttermost to pay attention to the users’ needs and their cultural context to combine with technical factors when designing/ improving a product. In 2012, the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) carried out [https://www.sei-international.org/mediamanager/documents/Publications/Atmospheric/sei-wp-2012-03-cookstoves.pdf a study applying a qualitative ‘generative’ research methodology.]<br/> |
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| | <p style="text-align: center">Source: SEI, 2012<ref name="SEI">SEI. (2012). Putting the Cook Before the Stove: a User-Centred Approach to Understanding Household Energy Decision-Making. Working Paper. Stockholm: Stockholm Environment Institute.https://www.sei-international.org/mediamanager/documents/Publications/Atmospheric/sei-wp-2012-03-cookstoves.pdf</ref></p> | | <p style="text-align: center">Source: SEI, 2012<ref name="SEI">SEI. (2012). Putting the Cook Before the Stove: a User-Centred Approach to Understanding Household Energy Decision-Making. Working Paper. Stockholm: Stockholm Environment Institute.https://www.sei-international.org/mediamanager/documents/Publications/Atmospheric/sei-wp-2012-03-cookstoves.pdf</ref></p> |
| − | These features can serve as a guidance for other technologies, though it is important to contextualize according to the prevailing geographical characteristics and socio-economic characteristics and particularities. Taking into account the five crucial factors of democratic design mentioned before, long lasting and sustainable technology are not considered among the features identified by SEI as it was not was part of their scope, however granted warranties and good performance in tests ([[Portal:Solar|Pico PV]] and [[Quality Assurance of Improved Cookstoves (ICS)|Stoves]]) could be considered to supplement these other aspects too.<br/> | + | These features can serve as a guidance for other technologies, though it is important to contextualize according to the prevailing geographical characteristics and socio-economic characteristics and particularities. Taking into account the five crucial factors of democratic design mentioned before, long lasting and sustainable technology are not considered among the features identified by SEI as it was not was part of their scope. However, granted warranties and good performance in tests ([[Portal:Solar|Pico PV]] and [[Quality Assurance of Improved Cookstoves (ICS)|Stoves]]) could be considered to supplement these other aspects, too.<br/> |
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| | = User’s Feedback for Design: Lighting & Cooking Technologies = | | = User’s Feedback for Design: Lighting & Cooking Technologies = |
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| − | Before a product is launched into the market (pilot) or when it is already in the market, it is crucial to gather reliable systematic data that allows to obtain the experience of users with using the product, to hear them express their views that later can unleash changes in approaches and even design. Different discoveries in the field can provide relevant information to adapt the design to current needs and wishes, needless to say that feedback has an enormous potential. | + | Before a product is launched into the market (pilot) or when it is already in the market, it is crucial to gather reliable systematic data that allows to obtain the experience of users with using the product, to hear them express their views that later can unleash changes in approaches and even design. Different discoveries in the field can provide relevant information to adapt the design to current needs and wishes, needless to say that <u>feedback </u>has an enormous potential.<br/> |
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| − | When modifications in design answer to what users want, it is just a matter of available information about the product <span style="font-size: 13.6px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255)">for potential users </span>and expect them to try (purchase) the product<ref>Rogers, E. M. (1995). Diffusion of innovations. Fourth edition. New York: The Free Press. Retrieved from https://books.google.de/books?hl=en&lr=&id=v1ii4QsB7jIC&oi=fnd&pg=PR15&dq=rogers+five+stages+of+adoption&ots=DK-osRTo8Q&sig=vJs6qGfhdKMg9YZ03_u55ombdng#v=onepage&q=stages%20adoption&f=false</ref> ([[Drivers of Adoption: Innovation and Behavioural Theory|stages of the adoption process of ideas and technology]]). Furthermore, commercializing a product involves a set of activities to persuade customers. According to the marketing theory, 85% of customers place colour as a primary reason why they buy a product and visual appearance is a factor that consumers consider overall 93%<ref>Kissmetrics. (2017). How do colors affect purchases? Retrieved from Kissmetrics Blog. A blog about analytics, marketing and testing: https://blog.kissmetrics.com/color-psychology/?wide=1</ref>.<br/> | + | When modifications in design answer to what users want, it is just a matter of product information available to<span style="font-size: 13.6px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255)">potential customers that are </span>expected to try (purchase) the product<ref>Rogers, E. M. (1995). Diffusion of innovations. Fourth edition. New York: The Free Press. Retrieved from https://books.google.de/books?hl=en&lr=&id=v1ii4QsB7jIC&oi=fnd&pg=PR15&dq=rogers+five+stages+of+adoption&ots=DK-osRTo8Q&sig=vJs6qGfhdKMg9YZ03_u55ombdng#v=onepage&q=stages%20adoption&f=false</ref> ([[Drivers of Adoption: Innovation and Behavioural Theory|stages of the adoption process of ideas and technology]]). Furthermore, [[Commercialisation_of_Cookstoves|commercializing]] a product involves a set of activities to persuade customers. According to the marketing theory, 85% of customers place <u>colour </u>as a primary reason why they buy a product and <u>visual appearance</u> is a factor that 93%consumers consider overall .<ref>Kissmetrics. (2017). How do colors affect purchases? Retrieved from Kissmetrics Blog. A blog about analytics, marketing and testing: https://blog.kissmetrics.com/color-psychology/?wide=1</ref><br/> |
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| − | The following Pico PV and improved cookstoves user’s claims were collected from different studies performed by various entities in different countries: | + | The following Pico PV and improved cookstoves user’s claims were collected from different studies performed by various entities in different countries:<br/> |
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| | == Pico PV == | | == Pico PV == |
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| | *‘To increase the '''height of the stove'''’<ref>Cleanstar & SNV. (2013). Cleaner Cooking in the Markets of Maputo. Maputo: SNV. Retrieved from https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B6m2VtucIAiqLUM2VE4xcFhIa00/edit</ref>. | | *‘To increase the '''height of the stove'''’<ref>Cleanstar & SNV. (2013). Cleaner Cooking in the Markets of Maputo. Maputo: SNV. Retrieved from https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B6m2VtucIAiqLUM2VE4xcFhIa00/edit</ref>. |
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| | + | = Design Evolution<br/> = |
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| − | = Design Evolution =
| + | *See marketing/comercialisation: [[Commercialisation_of_Cookstoves#The_4_Ps:_Product|ICS - Product]]<br/> |
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| | == Biography of an Improved Stove == | | == Biography of an Improved Stove == |
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| | = How a User Centred Design Responds to Purchase Behaviours?<br/> = | | = How a User Centred Design Responds to Purchase Behaviours?<br/> = |
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| | = Conclusion: What is the role of product design in people's purchasing decisions? = | | = Conclusion: What is the role of product design in people's purchasing decisions? = |
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| − | Purchasing decision is mostly affected by economic concerns (willingness and ability to pay), but also the product design seems to play a role. | + | Purchasing decision is mostly affected by economic concerns (willingness and ability to pay), but also the product design seems to play a role. |
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| | = Further Reading = | | = Further Reading = |
Designing a product is a process of solving problems creatively. Usually it considers not only the aesthetics and technological constrains, but also the user’s needs. A famous Swedish furniture and home accessories retailer applying continuous product development has identified five crucial factors for a democratic design, hence products have to be:
These factors can also be used in modern energy technologies design (i.e. efficient stoves and Pico PV lamps). ‘Products should be designed understanding that people want them to work, and to make life easier (function), that are beautiful (form), demand value for money (quality), care about the environment (sustainability) and are affordable (low price)’. [1]
Over the decades, continue development in design of stove allowed improved as a result of caring not only about the shape of things, but doing things better according to people’s needs and wishes. This have been possible thanks to the feedback provided by final users and taking a democratic design approach influencing from the conception to the final product.
Users dominate the market and therefore have the capability to determine the success of failure of a product. Consequently, it is uttermost to pay attention to the users’ needs and their cultural context to combine with technical factors when designing/ improving a product. In 2012, the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) carried out a study applying a qualitative ‘generative’ research methodology.
These features can serve as a guidance for other technologies, though it is important to contextualize according to the prevailing geographical characteristics and socio-economic characteristics and particularities. Taking into account the five crucial factors of democratic design mentioned before, long lasting and sustainable technology are not considered among the features identified by SEI as it was not was part of their scope. However, granted warranties and good performance in tests (Pico PV and Stoves) could be considered to supplement these other aspects, too.
Before a product is launched into the market (pilot) or when it is already in the market, it is crucial to gather reliable systematic data that allows to obtain the experience of users with using the product, to hear them express their views that later can unleash changes in approaches and even design. Different discoveries in the field can provide relevant information to adapt the design to current needs and wishes, needless to say that feedback has an enormous potential.
When modifications in design answer to what users want, it is just a matter of product information available topotential customers that are expected to try (purchase) the product[3] (stages of the adoption process of ideas and technology). Furthermore, commercializing a product involves a set of activities to persuade customers. According to the marketing theory, 85% of customers place colour as a primary reason why they buy a product and visual appearance is a factor that 93%consumers consider overall .[4]
The following Pico PV and improved cookstoves user’s claims were collected from different studies performed by various entities in different countries:
Purchasing decision is mostly affected by economic concerns (willingness and ability to pay), but also the product design seems to play a role.
