LUCAT design process data sets

The Loughborough User Centred Assistive Technology design process, LUCAT, had been used in the training of Industrial designers and Design ergonomists, Ergonomists and Engineers since 2000. An estimated 518 students were taught the process over a twenty-year period. Graduates were contacted via a professional networking website to take part in a survey with four being interviewed. The purpose of the survey was to find out if: 1) Did they still use any parts of the process; and 2) Where they had applied them. The respondents ranged from recent graduates to senior managers in research and development within major companies. From the 105 respondents 23% stated they used parts of the LUCAT process every working day, a further 25% once a week and 27% once a month. The elements of the process used were predominantly semi-structured interviews, concept generation, codesign, design presentation and feedback. The respondents highlighted the benefits of using the process as effectively gaining insights from users, time efficient, saving money, developing relationship with end users and making a difference to the lives of people with disability. The use of the process was shown to be useful beyond AT product design into most areas of design activity.