Experts by Experience as Contributors to Research and Development in a Corporate Context

Area of Science:

• Human-Computer Interaction
• Design Research
• Accessibility Studies

Background:

• Experts by experience, individuals with life-changing conditions, possess unique insights into environmental challenges.
• While utilized in the public sector, their expertise is largely untapped by the corporate research and development (R&D) sector.
• Engaging these experts can foster innovation and address accessibility needs in product development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the integration of experts by experience into a corporate R&D project.
• To evaluate a physical prototype with digital content through user testing with experts by experience.
• To identify product strengths, opportunities, and future requirements from the experts' perspectives.

Main Methods:

• A design research approach utilizing a case study method within a company's R&D project.
• User study involving experts by experience testing a prototype through think-aloud protocols, interaction, and a design game.
• Qualitative data collection on usability, aesthetics, and functional aspects of the prototype.

Main Results:

• Identified key product qualities related to usability, appearance, and feel.
• Generated ideas for potential applications and enhancements to the digital content of the prototype.
• Gathered expert insights into future product requirements and market needs.

Conclusions:

• Trained experts by experience can serve as valuable design drivers for strategic corporate development.
• Involving experts by experience in R&D enhances product innovation and user-centered design.
• This engagement exemplifies corporate social sustainability and responsibility through user inclusion and empowerment.