Browsing Faculty of Engineering and Technology by Subject "Culture"
Now showing items 1-6 of 6
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Moalosi, R.; Popovic, V.; Hickling-Hudson, A.R. (Springer http://www.springerlink.com/index/4p70461149163718.pdf, NaN, 2010)[more][less]
Abstract: There is little in-depth research that can assist designers to use culture as a catalyst for designing innovative products within Botswana’s context. The concept of culture and design are intertwined, thus modifications stemming from cultural evolution both reflect and determine developments in design. The paper discusses an experimental design approach conducted at the University of Botswana and participants challenge was to transform and encode socio-cultural factors into product design features. The paper concludes by discussing a model which has shown one way concerning how to consciously specify, analyse and integrate socio-cultural factors in the design process. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/528 Files in this item: 1
Moalosi_IJTD_2010.pdf (1.365Mb) -
Moalosi, R.; Popovic, V.; Hickling-Hudson, A.R. (Chinese Institute of Design, http://www.ijdesign.org, NaN, 2007)[more][less]
Abstract: Products designed and manufactured in any country are influenced by local factors, such as the availability of raw materials, human skills, tradition, and socio-cultural values. The tendency to use available natural resources is in harmony with the eco-system. It is expected that culture plays a crucial role in designing contemporary, socially-acceptable products. This paper describes a comprehensive experimental study analysing several products made in Botswana and identifying the underlying socio-cultural factors that influenced their design. The study was conducted in collaboration with design students at the University of Botswana. Visual and textual data were collected. The results indicate that materials, emotional socio-cultural factors, and social practices have not yet been incorporated convincingly in contemporary product design. The paper proposes how designers can integrate socio-cultural factors by 'conscious design efforts' rather than by 'accident,' thereby leading to innovative, culturally-oriented and cherishable products with wider product acceptance. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/614 Files in this item: 1
Moalosi_IJD_2007.pdf (344.7Kb) -
Moalosi, Richie; Popovic, Vesna; Hickling-Hudson, Anne (Creative Commons. www.ijdesign.org, August 1, 2007)[more][less]
Abstract: Products designed and manufactured in any country are influenced by local factors, such as the availability of raw materials, human skills, tradition, and socio-cultural values. The tendency to use available natural resources is in harmony with the eco-system. It is expected that culture plays a crucial role in designing contemporary, socially-acceptable products. This paper describes a comprehensive experimental study analysing several products made in Botswana and identifying the underlying socio-cultural factors that influenced their design. The study was conducted in collaboration with design students at the University of Botswana. Visual and textual data were collected. The results indicate that materials, emotional socio-cultural factors, and social practices have not yet been incorporated convincingly in contemporary product design. The paper proposes how designers can integrate socio-cultural factors by ‘conscious design efforts’ rather than by ‘accident,’ thereby leading to innovative, culturally-oriented and cherishable products with wider product acceptance. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/404 Files in this item: 1
Moalosi_IJD_2007.pdf (1.437Mb) -
Moalosi, R.; Popovic, V.; Hickling-Hudson, A. (Design Education Forum of South Africa (DEFSA), http://www.defsa.org.za, January 1, 2007)[more][less]
Abstract: There is little in-depth research that can assist designers to use culture as a catalyst for designing innovative products within Botswana’s context. This is supported by evidence from the literature which indicate that from an African perspective, there is no solid theoretical framework which can assist designers to consciously integrate users culture in designing products. This challenges designers to gain a deeper understanding of users culture and find strategies on how they can use culture as a resource in product development. The concept of culture and design are intertwined, thus modification in the former evolution both reflect and determine developments in the latter. For example, design changes culture and at the same time is shaped by it. The paper discusses an experimental design study conducted at the University of Botswana. Participants were challenged to transform a set of socio-cultural factors and encode them into recognised product design features that reflect Botswana's culture. The data generated by participants was analysed using the qualitative content analysis methodology. The paper concludes by discussing a culture-oriented design model which has shown one way on how to consciously specify, analyse and integrate socio-cultural factors in the early stages of the design process. The design model challenges the way products are designed for different cultures and supports the use of local content in solving design problems. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/597 Files in this item: 1
Moalosi_DEFSA_2007.pdf (1.151Mb) -
Moalosi, R.; Popovic, V.; Hickling-Hudson, A.R. (Design Education Forum of South Africa (DEFSA) http://www.defsa.org.za, NaN, 2007)[more][less]
Abstract: There is little in-depth research that can assist designers to use culture as a catalyst for designing innovative products within Botswana’s context. This is supported by evidence from the literature which indicate that from an African perspective, there is no solid theoretical framework which can assist designers to consciously integrate users culture in designing products. This challenges designers to gain a deeper understanding of users culture and find strategies on how they can use culture as a resource in product development. The concept of culture and design are intertwined, thus modification in the former evolution both reflect and determine developments in the latter. For example, design changes culture and at the same time is shaped by it. The paper discusses an experimental design study conducted at the University of Botswana. Participants were challenged to transform a set of socio-cultural factors and encode them into recognised product design features that reflect Botswana’s culture. The data generated by participants was analysed using the qualitative content analysis methodology. The paper concludes by discussing a culture-oriented design model which has shown one way on how to consciously specify, analyse and integrate socio-cultural factors in the early stages of the design process. The design model challenges the way products are designed for different cultures and supports the use of local content in solving design problems. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/579 Files in this item: 1
Moalosi_DEFSA_2007.pdf (1.151Mb) -
Rwelamila, P. D.; Talukhaba, A .A.; Ngowi, A.B. (Emerald http://www.emeraldinsight.com, NaN, 1999)[more][less]
Abstract: The lack of 'ubuntu'(African group solidarity) between project stakeholders in the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) public building sector has been surrounded by controversy and strongly held opinions. The work reported in this paper attempts to indicate some salient issues affecting the relationshps between project stakeholders. The Botswana public building sector is used as a main case study and follwo-up studies are carried out involving another eight SADC countries. The paper addresses two propositions.First, that the lack of 'ubuntu' between project stakeholders is primarily due to an inappropriate project organizational structure.Second, that a default traditional construction procurement system (TCPS) provides a poor relationship management system. Information is obtained on the research areas through questionnaires to confirm executives, contract managers, site managers, trade foremen and skilled tradeperson on the dominant procurement system used in Botswana. Furthermore, senior technical officers of Public Works Ministries of another eight SADC countries are interviewed as a follow-up to the Botswana study. The primary conclusion to be drawn is that the building procurement system purported to be in use in the SADC public building sector differs significantly from that recommended in the theory, resulting in poor relationships between project stakeholders. This is primarily due to the use of inappropriate building procurement systems. In general, the TCPS in the SADC public buiding sector is used as a 'default system.' This has led to a situation where project management is a 'firefighting' activity, where group solidarity between project stakeholders is out of reach. Salient steps are proposed with proviso that the SADC public building sector should establish appropriate methods of selecting building procurement systems as a prerequisite in formulating appropriate project organizational structures which will bring the spirit of real co-operation between project stakeholders towards project success. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/612 Files in this item: 1
Rwelamila_ECAM_1999.pdf (1.580Mb)
Now showing items 1-6 of 6