UNIVERSAL DESIGN AT SFSU
Creative Development of a Sustainable Universal Design Environment

Ricardo Gomes, IDSA
Chair/Professor
Department of Design & Industry (DAI)
San Francisco State University

Since the seven principals of UD was introduced over 10 years ago, there has been little evolution of these foundation principles beyond its homogenous and "clinical" approach to facilitating a wider range of users physical needs and abilities. There is a need to enhance these principles to address the significance of aesthetic appeal, emotional impact, as well as social and cultural relevance of design to the end-user and overall environment. A successful and well designed Universal Product, or environment should accommodate the multiple senses of touch, smell, taste, visual emotion, as well as enhancing ones user/environmental experience. In addition, the fundamental principles of universal design are still very much limited to a conventional "Western" concept of usability, which largely represents a contemporary, urban and industrialized perspective to the pragmatic world of accessible/barrier free design.

The investigation and preliminary presentation presented at the Universal Design 2002 Conference in Yokohama, Japan, looks at expanding the focus of Universal Design to be more "inclusive" and holistic in respect to issues of developing products and environments that better appeal, as well as facilitate users of various ages, abilities, cultures, and economies of scale.

3 Levels of Sustainable Universal Design Curriculum Development

General Education/Introductory-Level Design Course:
DAI 300: Design 1 is an introduction to creativity and the design process. The course follows progressive steps to develop and enhance the student's knowledge and ability in executing the design skills necessary to analyze, visualize and conceptualize the design development process.

In this course, the students engaged in a "User-Environmentally Friendly Packaging Design Seminar/Workshop." The Packaging Design Seminar/Workshops" exemplifies how we have been able to promote a cooperative and integrated approach to curriculum development.

User-Environmentally Friendly Packaging Design Seminar/Workshop:
The DCGN, in conjunction with the Institute On Disabilities at San Francisco State University, conducted a special program for design and packaging professionals that was structured to heighten the general awareness of many of the problems associated with opening today's packaged consumer products. Whether able-handed or not, everyone can relate at least one "trying experience" he, or she has had while attempting to open a particular package.

Ellen Leiber, president of ACCESS/ ABILITIES facilitated the focus of the seminar and workshop with a critical look at the user-friendliness of present day consumer packaging. The seminar focus was structured to address the concepts of Universal Design, as well as the rapidly growing size of the "not-so-able-handed" market within the American consumer base.
The SEMINAR consisted of a diverse and interdisciplinary panel of design and packaging professionals and student participants. Each panelist represented one of the major areas of concern in developing creative and appealing packaging concepts, that safely and securely, protected the packaged contents, in an environmentally and user-friendly context. Representing the graphic, commercial and marketing criteria was Ms. Fabienne David, senior designer from Primo Angeli Design. Representing the preservation, structural, as well as shipping and handling criteria, was Dr. Jorge Marcondes, coordinator of the Packaging Engineering Program at San Jose State University. And finally, representing the consumers concerns for the ease of access to adequately opening and closing packaged products and containers was Ms. Leiber.

The Workshop provided students with a more "experiential experience." To personalize the difficulties in question, Ms. Lieber led the students in a variety of simulation experiential exercises in which they attempted to open an array of consumer packaging items, while wearing devices that limit their hand motor skills and upper extremity motion.

Package Design Focus:
The focus of the packaging design project was to alleviate and facilitate the sometimes-difficult task of opening consumer packages, while consequently addressing the environmental concerns for developing more ecologically-responsive packaging. The objectives of this assignment were to heighten the awareness of many of the problems associated with opening today's consumer packaging. Students were also were asked to address in their solutions, the problems associated with the disposal of excessive packaging.

Intermediate/Upper-Level Course:
In the Intermediate/Upper-level course, DAI 400: Design 2, Design & Industry(DAI) department at San Francisco State University (SFSU), students have focused on the applications of products and environments that address the principles of Universal Design. The addresses the design approaches that take into account considerations prevalent in the inclusive principles of Universal Design and Sustainable Design. These design considerations look at issues of accessibility, diversity and sustainability in product design, development and implementation.

The course objective is to develop a comprehensive understanding of the principles of "Universal and Inclusive Design" within the context, guidelines, and objectives of "responsible" design. Students were required to develop two projects over the course of the semester that vary from Houseware Utensils and Appliances; Kitchen & Bathroom Faucet Fixtures; and Universal Wireless Communication Devices.

Before developing their projects, students are required to conduct an evaluation of a selected existing product utilizing the "Universal Design Assessment Paradigm" form.

Following this analytical assessment, students must conduct an existing product profile documentation in order to establish the merits and potential for improvement of the product in respect universal design principles; target market; product material & production sustainability; and product development management.

The course format places greater emphasis on user-based design instead of object based design methodologies. The coursework is divided into three equal and parallel layers which concentrate on the three basic aspects of design :

• Process The knowledge, techniques and skills designers employ in the product development process (Product Line Management System).
  
• People The development of knowledge , insights, and sensitivity, about the users of our products, our final clients. (Universal Design)
  
• Product Feasibility of product concept in respect to its manufacturing design efficacy in ease-of-assembly, as well as, overall assessment of the product life cycle's environmental impact

Students also participated in collaborative focus groups, such as with the Consortium for Elders and Youth in the Arts (CEYA) in conjunction with the Goldman Institute on Aging/On-Lok Senior Health Center. These sessions have greatly facilitated the Universal Design "Hand-held Kitchen Housewares/Utensils Product research and development for the students. The seniors, the CEYA and On-Lok staff, evaluated and suggested how the students could better develop and market their product design houseware utensils. The senior's feedback and comments were critical to enhancing the student's understanding of the needs of elderly users with limited hand dexterity. This community-service learning experience greatly enhanced the student's ability to develop a responsible awareness to the value and significance of end-user research and interaction in the product development process.

Student projects generated in this course, along with other research, undergraduate and graduate student projects, have been annually submitted to national and international design competitions, such as: The Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA)/Mototrola Universal Access Wireless Communication Device Student Design Competition; the National Houseware Manufacturers Association Student Design Competition; the Handitec International Design Competition for Persons with Disabilities in Paris, France.

In January 2002, the National Housewares Manufacturers Association (NHMA) Student Design Competition awarded one of our students an Honorable Mention Award for his universal designed, one-handed vegetable/fruit peeler. In 1997, the NHMA awarded another student for his patented universal design "Scnife" kitchen utensil concept.

The IDSA/Mototrola Universal Access Wireless Communication Device Jury awarded two of our students for their Universal Solar Cellular Phone concept. This resourceful and responsible product was featured in the Motorola Booth at the 2001 Consumer Electronic Show in Las Vegas, NV.

Graduate-Level Course and Creative Work/Thesis Projects:
In the Graduate-level course, DAI 805: Graduate Design Seminar in Industrial Design Practices, as well as in the graduate students' Creative Work/Thesis Projects, students have focused on advancing inclusive approaches to Universal Design principles and applications.

The objective of the graduate seminar is to familiarize the student with the influence and impact of design in our global marketplace and social community. The seminar's focus is to establish a "global design consciousness" that is environmentally responsive and user-friendly in its attempt to improve our general livelihood. The seminar examines the question of how cultural identity and influences can, or should, contribute to product form, function and social development in the product marketplace and built environment.

The seminar also reviews the concerns for the appropriate development, use and fusion of advanced technology that could assist lesser economically developed countries in establishing their own identity in the both in a domestic (local) and International (global) marketplace. The seminar evaluates the ideology of what constitutes "socially-responsible" design.

Students are required to develop case study topic of their choice that identifies and develops design applications that address "Inclusive" design goals, in respect to universal design, sustainable growth and development in all societies.

The seminar seeks to nurture a cross-cultural and diverse interdisciplinary environment that will promote a responsive exchange amongst not only design scholars, students and professionals, but also manufacturers, consumers and the socially-alienated. Such dialogues have been realized and disseminated through the designated lectures, research and development activities.

The participation of visiting lectures from the local and international arena, facilitates the varied seminar topics. The diverse weekly seminar topics and backgrounds of the speakers include: architecture, universal design, sustainable design, community development, urban design, small-scale enterprises, gender-issues, product, visual communication and information technology.

In the Creative Work Projects that graduate students develop, it is quite often that their projects will also incorporate social, cultural and low-income economic conditions both locally and internationally. Recent projects have addressed, "Public Wayfinding Systems in San Francisco;" "Public Toilets for Women;" "Applying Universal Design to Package Design;" and "Universal Manual Carpentry Tools in Brazil."

Universal Design Research, Development and Implementation

Brian Donnelly, former Associate Professor of Design and Manufacturing, authored many grants, which greatly assisted the initial research and development efforts embarked upon by the Center. As the Co-Founder of DCGN, Donnelly was instrumental in the initial acquisition of R&D seed grants from the Hess Foundation and Wyss Foundation. As a result, Donnelly was very successful in developing many successful projects and consequent "marketable" universal design products.

Some of Donnelly's initial research and development efforts that were generated through the DCGN have evolved into home and outdoor seating concepts and accessories. These products have received numerous design awards from the National Endowment of the Arts (NEA) Universal Design Excellence Jury, as well as the American Society on Aging (ASA) "New Products and Designs for the Mature Markets. He has been able to expand his award winning and nationally recognized products to establish a design and manufacturing company in the San Francisco Bay Area, Lifespan Furnishings.

Creative and Professional Development

As a result of the previous UD research, curriculum development and applications associated with the Design and Industry Department at San Francisco State University, the focus and merit of my current research is to investigate and document the Creative Development of Universal Design Research, Product Design Applications and Curriculum Models.

This study is the premise for the development of research that will explore how Universal Design could be better marketed and promoted from a creative and appealing manner that will minimize any "specialty" stigma that may be typically associated, or misconstrued with adaptive, or accessible products. Creative design development will look at developing a "seamless" and integrated approach to UD that will look at optimizing the interface between design innovation and the pragmatic principles of Universal Design.

It is my objective to take a critical look and assessment of diverse and equitable approaches to universal design that will be more responsive and specific to the inherent needs and sustainable implementation of indigenous societies, cultural values, economies-of-scale, resources, production and marketability. The preliminary results from this research will be utilized as a basis for development of UD Research and Product Case Studies. The articulation of these products and case studies could be utilized and further developed in the existing courses of study, as well as creative work, in the Design and Industry Department and associated areas of study at San Francisco State University (SFSU).

The development of this preliminary research and thesis, in conjunction with presenting this subject matter and dialogue at the UD 2002 Yokohama Conference will be of great benefit and relevance to the thematic focus of the next Designing for the 21st Century in Havana, Cuba in January 2004, which will be the dialogue between the developing and developed worlds. There has been a great deal of attention to the market potential and promotion of universal design in various diverse societies and marketplaces. There is a greater need and responsibility for the international universal design advocates and community to explore the social justice dimensions of universal design.

Plans are in the making to create and conduct international workshops, charrettes and student design competitions at the 21st Century UD conference in Havana that will offer experiential learning by international groups as a way to generate insight and build on-going collaborations.

The objectives of this research and cumulative UD conference experiences will be to establish SFSU as a center for Universal Design Research, Education and Curriculum Development in the western region of the U.S. as well as neighboring regions of interest in Latin America and Pacific Rim.

Methodology

1) Research what currently exists in UD Research Centers on the university, governmental and NGO level, locally, nationally and internationally. Investigate and document the success and limitations of these projects. (Jan. - March 2003)

2) Research what currently exists in UD Product Development and Marketing in the professional design practice and industrial sector. Investigate the success, limitations and failure of these product applications. (Feb. - April 2003)

3) Develop Assessment documentation (CD Format) that would illustrate, examples of Universal Design products with special attention given to aesthetics and the multi-sensory impact of these products. This evaluation would explore the correlation between commercial and socially viable products that fuse the pragmatic universal design principles with the creative process. (April - June 2003)

4) Preliminary Design Development: This process would incorporate the practical creative and functional infusion of innovative form, sensory stimulation, ease of use and functional efficiency. My research will explore where creativity, innovation and responsible resources come together to form a universal and inclusive product environment. (June - August 2003)

5) Implementation of Conference workshops, charrettes and student design competitions focusing on the theme of sustainable universal design approaches in industrialized and emerging societies at the 3rd International Universal Design Conference on Designing for the 21st Century, in Havana, Cuba, January 2004.

Resources

Research and investigation into the development of a UD Centers, Products, Applications and Curriculum would be channeled through the Design Center for Global Needs.

This research would look at UD Research and Development at reputable UD Centers and institutions such as:

* The Center for Universal Design at North Carolina State University
* The Inclusive Design Environmental Access (IDEA) Center at SUNY, Buffalo
* Adaptive Environments Center, Boston

In addition, investigation will also look into successful design projects, developments and marketed products developed by such Design Offices & Manufacturers as:

* Moore, Iacafano & Goltsman (MIG, Berkeley, CA)
* Lifespanfurnishings (Brian Donnelly, Emeryville, CA)

In reference to the international activities relative to Universal Design, there is tremendous development and applications in Japan and Korea, both through academic and industry collaborations, such as the NEC Japan Universal Design project and most recently exemplified with the UD 2002 Yokohama Conference.

In addition, Europe has a long-standing prescience in UD, particularly in England and throughout Scandinavia. Meanwhile, there is an emerging and distinct approach to the significance and definition of UD as it relates to the infrastructure, economy and cultural values of low-income, emerging or non-western economies, such as, in Mexico, Brazil, Jordan, Kenya, India, or Singapore.

I will seek assistance from various international UD programs, institutes, universities and scheduled conferences in identifying other inclusive and diverse approaches to universal design, that go beyond the established U.S. paradigm, such as:

* Inclusive Design Research Associates (INDRA), Newcastle, UK
* Royal College of Art, DesignAge Programme, London, UK
* Royal National Institute of the Blind (RNIB) Scientific Research Unit, London, UK
* Ecole d'Architecture de Paris la Villette, Paris, France
* 3rd International Universal Design Conference on Designing for the 21st
Century, in Havana, Cuba, January 2004

The results of this research will be beneficial to the dissemination and exploration for the future development of an interdisciplinary UD Concentration at SFSU. This UD program would also incorporate the development of an International On-Line/Distance-Learning curriculum that would utilize the UD Global Network of educators and practitioners. This premise is based upon the existing courses of study and faculty from the various Colleges and Departments at SFSU that the DAI department and DCGN have developed a working relationship over the years, such as:

* Disability Resource Center (Gene Chelberg)
* Institute On Disabilities/Disabilities Studies (Paul Longmore)
* Special Education Department (Sandra Rosen)
* Philosophy Department (Anita Silvers)
* Gerontology Program (AnaBel Pelham & Darlene Yee)
* Rehabilitation Engineering Program (Ray Grott)
* Whirlwind Wheelchair International (Ralf Hotchkiss/Peter Pfaelzer)

The cumulative results from investigating UD Centers; Design Offices & Manufacturers; and UD Curriculum; will assist in the development of the 2nd International Universal Design Symposium & Workshop at SFSU in the Fall of 2004.

Lessons Learned for Expanding the Scope of Universal Design

In the past 9 years, the integrated approach to universal design education has been a "seamless" infusion of into the integral design ethics, values and principles of the Product Design curriculum in the Design and Industry department. This inclusive design approach has heightened the awareness of the functional requirements and opportunities for students, faculty and the extended community to the value of interdisciplinary educational development at San Francisco State University.

The Department of Design & Industry at SFSU sees a tremendous opportunity to make a profound impact on the issues of diversity in design education and its relative environment. An environment that constitutes, and needs to be more responsive, to the social, cultural and physical needs of the underrepresented, the disabled, and the disenfranchised.

There is a need to expand and enhance the representation, awareness and the traditional focus of design education. A responsive awareness needs to be established, that goes beyond the esoteric values of the conventional marketplace to engage the needs of the expanding non-traditional markets of emerging economies. These economies must flourish and evolve, on the local, or international level, within the context of sustainable development.

Bibliography

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Whirlwind Wheelchair International, San Francisco State University, School of Engineering, San Francisco, CA, Email: whirlwind@sfsu.edu

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