Knowledge Base Repository
In addition to research papers, the Design Society is developing several valuable resources for those interested in the study of design. These include a repository of PhD theses, a library of case studies and transcripts of design activities, and an archive of our newsletters. Please note that these resources are accessible exclusively to Design Society members.
Distribution of mental stresses during conceptual design activities
Nguyen, Thanh An; Xu, Xu; Zeng, Yong
Type:
Year:
2013
Editor:
Udo Lindemann, Srinivasan V, Yong Se Kim, Sang Won Lee, John Clarkson, Gaetano Cascini
Author:
Series:
ICED
Institution:
Concordia University, Canada
Page(s):
287-296
ISBN:
978-1-904670-50-6
ISSN:
2220-4334
Abstract:
In this paper, we study how different mental stress levels are distributed in a conceptual design process. Firstly, we reviewed a Stroop Test experiment conducted earlier in our lab to confirm the use of heart rate variability (HRV) as a reliable index of mental stress. Secondly, we reported our experiment on seven designers; HRV data and body movements were recorded along with design processes. Design data was segmented and HRV parameter as indicator of mental stress was computed for each segment. Then the mental stresses were classified into seven levels. The result showed that most of the activities in a design process were performed at low levels of mental stress. The design activities reduce as the level of mental stress increases. No correlation was found between types of design activities and mental stress.
Keywords:
