ISBN 978-3-8439-1270-9

978-3-8439-1270-9, Reihe Informatik

Martin Knobel
Experience Design in the Automotive Context

183 Seiten, Dissertation Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (2013), Softcover, A5

Zusammenfassung / Abstract

Various experiences in modern life are in one or another form connected to car rides. However, the automotive industry so far only regards driving as the only relevant experience, a perspective which consequently dominates the field of interaction design for vehicles. Yet, the car is an exceptionally potential space for experiences that go beyond the actual driving task, such as intensive conversation or exploration. So how is it possible to design for special situations like those, and thereby create positive emotions for drivers and passengers alike?

Experience Design enables the precise analysis of experiences in advance of the design by clarifying with the help of psychological needs why a considered experience is viewed as positive. Furthermore, Experience Design supports the composition of an Experience Story, which is attuned to the desired psychological needs and which defines the experience to be designed. This experience can then gradually be translated into an interaction design. Finally, with the help of technology, the created experience can be lived through in situ by participants and later analysed. Based upon this design approach and by means of methods drawn from the fields of human machine-interaction as well as psychology, four studies on the design of experiences through interaction products in the automotive domain are presented. The created experiences are divided into "Experiences at Group Drives in the Car for Pleasure" and "Experiences While Commuting Alone". These experiences take place in different scenarios, namely: in a motorcade, an exploratory cruise, a commuting ride, and while driving considerately. Out of the practical application of Experience Design in these studies a best practice for the use of the employed methods is developed. Thereby, this work brings to light the possibilities for using technology to design experiences that go beyond the mere act of driving. Furthermore, the challenges of designing experiences in usability-focused environments are shown. Thus, this work is aimed at offering inspiration to designers and researchers particularly in the automotive domain for designing experiences and thereby furthering innovation.