R.A. Niemeijer, June 7, 2006 Problem description Subject Research aspects Design aspects Expectations Risks Planning faculteit ddss technische universiteit eindhoven TUTU e / Graduation plan Student: R.A. Niemeijer Coaching committee: Prof. dr. ir. B. de Vries (supervisor) Dr. ir. J.P. van Leeuwen (mentor) Ir. A. J. Jessurun (mentor)

R.A. Niemeijer, June 7, 2006 Problem description Subject Research aspects Design aspects Expectations Risks Planning faculteit ddss technische universiteit eindhoven TUTU e / Problem description Real estate project developers build for the market, not the user. The client has little, if any, say in the design of the house. No two users are the same, so why should they have to live in identical houses? The investor/user must regain control of the design. This can be done by providing them with user-oriented design tools. “The market”The market

R.A. Niemeijer, June 7, 2006 Problem description Subject Research aspects Design aspects Expectations Risks Planning faculteit ddss technische universiteit eindhoven TUTU e / Some headway has been made with these user-oriented design systems. Current problems: No distinction between generic objects and actual products No guidance for the user Mostly based on floor plans, no good impression of space

R.A. Niemeijer, June 7, 2006 Problem description Subject Research aspects Design aspects Expectations Risks Planning faculteit ddss technische universiteit eindhoven TUTU e / Subject The standard design process: the architect sits in his ivory tower and the client just has to hope the design meets his or her needs. Why not let the client design the building? Architecture is a 5-year study. The average person will not be able to design a good building. The user must be supported by a person or program with architectural knowledge. You could call the program an “Architect in a box”.

R.A. Niemeijer, June 7, 2006 Problem description Subject Research aspects Design aspects Expectations Risks Planning faculteit ddss technische universiteit eindhoven TUTU e / The graduation is the first part of a PhD study, consisting of: Product specification language Product database Artificial Intelligence (User assistence and constraints checking) User interface 3D engine The user interface is the most independant of these, so it will be the subject of the graduation Researching it will provide insights into the other components.

R.A. Niemeijer, June 7, 2006 Problem description Subject Research aspects Design aspects Expectations Risks Planning faculteit ddss technische universiteit eindhoven TUTU e / Research aspects and methodology Analyse existing user interfaces: Professional 3D design programs (3D Studio, Maya, Sketchup) Popular content creation programs (Photoshop, The Sims) Popular 3D applications (Google Earth, Quake, Warcraft) Literature study: User interface design Conducting user tests

R.A. Niemeijer, June 7, 2006 Problem description Subject Research aspects Design aspects Expectations Risks Planning faculteit ddss technische universiteit eindhoven TUTU e / Design aspects and methodology The design process will consist of: Building Prototypes Conducting user tests The prototypes will explore the following use cases: Changing the size of a window (AI, interface) Changing a generic stair to a product (database interaction, AI) Navigating in 3D (interface)

R.A. Niemeijer, June 7, 2006 Problem description Subject Research aspects Design aspects Expectations Risks Planning faculteit ddss technische universiteit eindhoven TUTU e / Result expectations Project specific: An understanding of what user interface elements provide the best experience for the user Insights into the other aspects of the program Competences: To learn what makes a succesful user interface In general For a program that allows users to design houses

R.A. Niemeijer, June 7, 2006 Problem description Subject Research aspects Design aspects Expectations Risks Planning faculteit ddss technische universiteit eindhoven TUTU e / Risks Possible risks include: Protoypes taking too long to build Users have no preference User test are conducted incorrectly

R.A. Niemeijer, June 7, 2006 Problem description Subject Research aspects Design aspects Expectations Risks Planning faculteit ddss technische universiteit eindhoven TUTU e / Planning Research Conclusions, Detailed Planning Building Prototypes User Tests Preparing Results AugSepOctNovDecJan

R.A. Niemeijer, June 7, 2006 Problem description Subject Research aspects Design aspects Expectations Risks Planning faculteit ddss technische universiteit eindhoven TUTU e / Questions?