Everyone deserves great design: Design towards the 100%

This thesis illustrates that everyone deserves great design and suggests methods on how to achieve it. A new mindset for product design is developed and presented here advocating for incentives, both economic and humanitarian, in order to create more equitable products around the world for people without discriminating based on traditional geographic, economic, or cultural stereotypes. It is argued that it is possible to intentionally create great designs for everyone by using the following four principles: 1. Simultaneously Embrace Desires & Constraints Create a solution that embraces and satisfies constraints & desires. It must be simultaneous. One cannot ignore the other. 2. Minimize Resource Inefficiencies Start with a systematic analysis of the product. Use first principles to reinvent problematic aspects. 3. Optimize Value Provide the maximum functional, social, and emotional value for a minimum initial investment and low long-term maintenance cost. 4. Dignify Everyone We are all human. Do not discriminate based on geography, culture, or economic status. A homeless person and the President should be treated equally. These principles are utilized to curate 40 examples of great design for everyone and discussed in relation to two case studies.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.F.A.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Art and Design

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2014

Author dc:creator

• Noursalehi, Ehsan

Contributors dc:contributor

• Weightman, David I.

• Design
• Social Design
• Capitalism
• Humanitarian Aid

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2014 Ehsan Noursalehi

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/49542

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/49542