Conceptual Design in Metalworking Microenterprises: An Empirical Study in Tanzania

DS 116: Proceedings of the DESIGN2022 17th International Design Conference

Year: 2022
Editor: Mario Štorga, Stanko Škec, Tomislav Martinec, Dorian Marjanović
Author: Eliab Opiyo (1), Santosh Jagtap (2), Sonal Keshwani (3)
Series: DESIGN
Institution: 1: St. Joseph University in Tanzania, Tanzania; 2: Blekinge Institute of Technology, Sweden; 3: Dayananda Sagar University, India
Section: Engineering Design Practice
Page(s): 2493-2502
DOI number: https://doi.org/10.1017/pds.2022.252
ISSN: 2732-527X (Online)

Abstract

Product design is a key aspect of human intelligence and creativity, attracting not only experts but also workers and self-employed without any formal design training. Although numerous people in developing countries design and manufacture simple products in metalworking microenterprises, there is very little systematic knowledge about their design process. This paper aims to fill this gap in design knowledge. We aim at investigating some aspects of design process in the metalworking microenterprises in Tanzania. The findings reveal how they identify needs, and generate and evaluate concepts.

Keywords: design practice, conceptual design, design creativity, informal sector, developing countries