Effects of Megatrends on Customer-Centric Design  
Author Maytavee Tansrisuwarn

 
Co-Author(s) Thong Ngee Goh

 
Abstract The competitiveness of a product-oriented business is linked, in the final analysis, to the appeal of the products to customers. Different products are designed for various purposes and audiences but the ultimate goal is to sell; thus directly or indirectly, customers influence the decisions of the designers. It is a fact that customers are not homogeneous and their needs do not remain the same over time, owing to various changes in society, lifestyle and events that affect them; as characteristics of customer preferences change over the years, companies can no longer design products based only on known needs. This paper explores the impact of effects of global megatrends on customer-centric design as an important aspect of Total Quality Management (TQM). Six megatrends are identified and discussions are made of the way choices are made by consumers; analyses are also made of the implications of these trends on design decisions.

 
Keywords Megatrends, customer-centric design, customisation, quality, functionality
   
    Article #:  22027
 
Proceedings of the 22nd ISSAT International Conference on Reliability and Quality in Design
August 4-6, 2016 - Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.