Seminar: Tuesdays 4:15-5:45 pm, Terman 556

Lab Session: Mondays, 2:15-5:15pm, Product Realization Lab (PRL) Building 610
 

Instructor: Warren Dean

    email: dean@cdr.stanford.edu

    office: PRL, Building 610

    phone: 650.725.1578

    office hours: Wednesday 8:30-10:00 am or by appointment.
 

Teaching Assistants:

    Elliott Campbell, campbell@stanford.edu

    Kelly Naylor, happee@stanford.edu
 

Introduction

For individuals around the world, particularly in developing countries, well-designed technical innovations can dramatically improve health, economic opportunity, environmental sustainability, and quality of life.

Designing a successful product for a developing market is different from designing a successful product in the industrial world. Cultural issues often play a large part in determining a productís acceptabilityóand these issues can be difficult to understand from an outsiderís perspective. Local non-availability of materials can radically affect a productís price, availability and reparability. Designing without paying close attention to local manufacturing skills and repair capabilities can limit a productís ability to be produced and maintained. And the local economic situation can cause even the most innovative product to fail completely.

However, by working with individuals with technical experience in AT design and implementation, weíll generate new ideas to contribute to the field. The proper use of local (and locally available imported) materials can lead to new markets for existing resources. The incorporation of widely available manufacturing techniques (which we will practice in lab sessions) will lead to a more easily repaired and longer-lasting product. And designing products to generate income for both the manufacturer and purchaser encourages widespread adoption regardless of changes in funding by aid agencies.
 
 

Course Description

1 Unit: Weekly Seminar

Discussions with AT designers on topics such as transportation, energy, water sanitation, resource management, and housing. Two short research projects which can be written, web-based, or PowerPoint.

3 Unit: Lab and Seminar

Designing products for developing countries and markets. Emphasis on defining and building a solution to one of three "design challenges". Weekly labs will reinforce lecture topics and develop skills useful for design project.

Requirements

1-Unit Seminar

• Safety Training MUST be completed before Monday, April 3 (First Lab Session)
• Safety glasses MUST be purchased
• Shop License (see http://cdr.stanford.edu/DD/PRL/shopaccess.html)

Course Reader, Available at Bookstore

Design for the Real World, Victor Papanek (Academy Chicago, 1984)

Small Is Beautiful, E.F. Schumacher (Blond and Briggs, 1973)

The AT Reader, Marilyn Carr (ITDG, 1985)
 
 

Web site: http://www.stanford.edu/class/me128/