The Development of a Care Assistive Device Based on Design Thinking: An Examination of Interview Methods by Visualizing Ideas Using Sketches

Abstract: In the design thinking process, interviews are essential to incorporating user perspectives. Typically, the initial interviews aim for empathy, while subsequent ones during the user test phase validate prototypes. However, this often means that direct user input is not integrated during the ideation and prototype creation stages, potentially leading to a disconnect between developers and users. This study aims to promote user participation throughout the design thinking process and align perceptions between developers and users. We conducted a case study where interviews were held during the ideation phase, and hand-drawn sketches were used for visualizing ideas, thereby incorporating direct user feedback on prototype concepts. The case study focused on the development of a device to prevent falls among elderly residents in a care facility. The results suggest that using hand-drawn sketches for idea visualization during ideation interviews contributes to aligning developer and user understandings, enhancing the development process.

Keywords: Visualization, Sketch, Design Thinking, Interview, Care Assistive Device

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1004967

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