Designing everyday essentials: a guide for user-friendly accessibility using quality function deployment

This research provides a guideline for applying the product design and development concept (PDD) to develop a prototype model of an everyday essential product. The implementation of this approach is illustrated through a case study on a cloth drying and ironing device. It employs Quality Function Deployment (QFD) principles to enhance user experiences by aligning design objectives with customer needs. QFD serves as a systematic approach to translate customer needs into specific product features. The study focuses on urban areas near Bangkok, Thailand, catering to customers aged 18 to 50. The design addresses challenges such as space constraints and specific needs related to weather conditions, such as the rainy season or nighttime laundry. The significant findings offer guidance to designers and developers in designing products that prioritize user preferences, thereby enhancing overall usability and satisfaction. The contributions of this research benefit designers (manufacturers), customers, and researchers. The implications of this study include reducing trial-and-error time during the design phase and minimizing waste from the prototyping process. However, there remains a risk of misinterpretation or oversight in capturing customer needs, highlighting the importance of receiving feedback from customers.