ABSTRACT
This chapter provides an overview that will guide designers in choosing the methods that will best support their own design process. It describes some general design philosophies followed by an overview of development activities, and then methods and tools to use throughout the process. A design philosophy is the underlying basis for design with assumptions, goals, and ideas. The concept of user-centered design is not a new idea but represents a broad philosophy that is central to any human factors-oriented approach. A further extension of user-centered design is accessible, inclusive, or universal design, whereby products or environments are designed that are flexible enough to be usable by people with no limitations as well as by those with functional limitations due to impairments or to circumstances. Initial prototypes can be developed to get early user feedback, before time or money has been spent developing fully functional products.
