Short answer

When designing products with tactile or visually complex surfaces, consider how the chosen manufacturing method and its specific parameters will influence user perception and preference, and potentially test different manufacturing variations.

Field: User-Centred Design
Source: Proceedings of the Design Society (2023)
Method: Experimental study
Evidence: Moderate effect

Subtle variations in the manufacturing process, specifically the toolpath rastering in CNC machining, significantly influence user perception and preference for surface textures. This user-centred design research insight is drawn from a 2023 study published in Proceedings of the Design Society. Using Experimental study, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: When designing products with tactile or visually complex surfaces, consider how the chosen manufacturing method and its specific parameters will influence user perception and preference, and potentially test different manufacturing variations.

Study

User-Centred DesignRecentModerate effect

Manufacturing Toolpath Precision Directly Impacts User Preference for Surface Textures

Subtle variations in the manufacturing process, specifically the toolpath rastering in CNC machining, significantly influence user perception and preference for surface textures.

Proceedings of the Design Society · 2023

Key Findings

01Different toolpath rastering approaches result in discernible differences in visual and tactile surface qualities.
02These manufacturing-induced variations in texture significantly influence user preferences for interaction design.
03User psychological experience is a key factor in these preferences.

Application

Design takeaway

How to apply

When specifying manufacturing for a product, explore how different toolpath strategies or machining parameters might subtly alter the final product's aesthetic and tactile qualities, and consider user testing to validate preferences.

Project actions

01When prototyping, consider using slightly different manufacturing settings (e.g., tool speed, path spacing) to see if it affects user perception.
02Document the specific manufacturing parameters used and how they might relate to user feedback.

Method & Evidence

AimTo investigate how variations in CNC toolpath rastering affect the visual and tactile qualities of surface textures and, consequently, user interaction-design preferences.

MethodExperimental study

ProcedureParticipants were presented with surface textures manufactured using different CNC toolpath rastering approaches. Their visual and tactile perceptions were recorded, and their preferences for interaction design were assessed, focusing on psychological experience.

ContextSurface texture design and manufacturing, human-computer interaction, product design.

Variables

IV["CNC toolpath rastering approach (e.g., different spacing, angle, or order of tool movements)"]

DV["Visual qualities of the texture","Tactile qualities of the texture","User interaction-design preferences","Psychological experience of the user"]

CV["Material of the surface","Overall shape of the object","Lighting conditions during evaluation","Instructions given to participants"]

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Directly links manufacturing process to user perception and preference.
+Focuses on subtle, often overlooked, manufacturing variations.

Limitations

It can be difficult to precisely control and measure subtle manufacturing variations. User perception can also be subjective and vary greatly.

Reliability & validity

Reliability could be enhanced by using standardized measurement tools for texture analysis and ensuring consistent environmental conditions. Validity is supported by the direct link established between manufacturing variables and user-reported preferences, though subjective user experience introduces inherent variability.

Think critically

To what extent can 'emotionally attuned' design be objectively encoded through manufacturing parameters, and how can designers effectively bridge the gap between technical execution and subjective user experience?

Design Principles

"Manufacturing fidelity should extend beyond geometric accuracy to encompass perceptual and emotional user experience."

This research highlights that the technical execution of manufacturing is not merely about achieving a final form but also about encoding user experience. Designers and engineers must consider how manufacturing choices, even at a granular level, can shape a user's psychological and emotional response to a product.

What This Means for Your Design

How a product is made can change how people feel about it, even if it looks the same. For example, the tiny lines left by a cutting tool can make a surface feel different and more or less appealing.

How to use in your project

1.Reference this study when discussing how manufacturing choices influenced user testing results or design decisions in your design project.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

The manufacturing process itself can significantly influence user interaction preferences. Research by Urquhart and Wodehouse (2023) demonstrated that subtle changes in CNC toolpath rastering led to distinct visual and tactile qualities in surface textures, which in turn affected user preferences for interaction design, highlighting the importance of considering the perceptual impact of manufacturing choices.

Source

Proceedings of the Design Society

EMBEDDING PERCEPTION: HOW CHANGES IN MANUFACTURING APPROACH INFLUENCE INTERACTION-DESIGN PREFERENCES

journal · 2023

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Questions About This Research

What does the research say about manufacturing toolpath precision directly impacts user preference for surface textures?: When designing products with tactile or visually complex surfaces, consider how the chosen manufacturing method and its specific parameters will influence user perception and preference, and potentially test different manufacturing variations. Evidence: Proceedings of the Design Society (2023).
Why does "Manufacturing Toolpath Precision Directly Impacts User Preference for Surface Textures" matter for design?: This research highlights that the technical execution of manufacturing is not merely about achieving a final form but also about encoding user experience. Designers and engineers must consider how manufacturing choices, even at a granular level, can shape a user's psychological and emotional response to a product.
How can designers apply this research?: When designing products with tactile or visually complex surfaces, consider how the chosen manufacturing method and its specific parameters will influence user perception and preference, and potentially test different manufacturing variations.
What were the main findings?: Different toolpath rastering approaches result in discernible differences in visual and tactile surface qualities.. These manufacturing-induced variations in texture significantly influence user preferences for interaction design.. User psychological experience is a key factor in these preferences.
What research method was used?: Experimental study.
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2023 journal from Proceedings of the Design Society.
What should I do differently in my next project?: When specifying manufacturing for a product, explore how different toolpath strategies or machining parameters might subtly alter the final product's aesthetic and tactile qualities, and consider user testing to validate preferences.
What are the limitations?: The study focused on specific types of surface textures and CNC machining; results may vary for other materials, manufacturing processes, or texture types. The sample size and demographic diversity were not specified.