Diabetes is becoming a serious problem in China. At the same time, China’s medical

system has faced a difficult situation because of the lack of medical resources and the unequal medical resource distribution between the BHs and BLHs. BH doctors are tremendously busy with both serious and minor illnesses while BLH medical providers are worried about a sufficient source of patients. This study aims to find the potential feasibility of a new service model in managing diabetes which will solve these medical problems. The study was conducted using an extensive literature review in addition to employing an interview and survey method to explore the perception and current situation in workload and income of medical providers from one BH and one BLH in China. Furthermore, this study tried to understand the acceptance of online medical technology in these medical provider groups. The results showed that doctors in the BH do not have the time needed to engage in extra work. This population is not satisfied with their work responsibilities and income structure. They want to engage in diagnosing and prescribing tasks, with respect to diabetes management. They would like to distribute the management work to BLH. On the other hand, medical providers in BLH have extra time and enthusiasm in doing extra work to improve their income. They are not satisfied with their workload and income, and want to change it. BLHs are willing to do the management work assisting the BH doctors. Additionally, the study showed that online medical technology requires a broader user education for medical providers from both big and BLHs. The conclusion can be summarized as design research advice for future service design in healthcare management. The proposed online medical service should meet different level medical providers' position and requirements regarding time, payment, and value. BH doctors are more suitable for diagnosing and prescribing and BLH medical providers are more suitable for follow-up service. This service should reflect the value of the BH doctors' professional service and the value of BLH medical providers' health management service. (discuss how design can improve this situation through app development)

The Imagination + Imagery model for design pedagogy is presented. Two studies were conducted to develop the model: (a) the visual imagery assessment of design students; and (b) a historical research on the concept of imagination. Results suggest the following implications as the components of strong imagination for design thinkers: (a) the ability to shape vivid images of objects in mind; (b) the ability to mentally transform the spatial representations of images; (c) to consider the ethical consequences of imagined situation; (d) to use imagination for resolving design wicked problems; and (e) to actively imagine for mental and emotional health.

In the recent years, more and more products come into the market, which provides thousands of choices for consumers. We live in a world full of brands, all trying to attract our attention. A critical part of this process is the criteria for selection. Research has found that criteria always derive from individuals’ experience, which finally creates a unique identity for certain products and brands that could be considered synonym with the specific product. This is a fast-growing phenomenon since the advent of the commodity economy period. In today’s competitive environment, modern consumers are the decision makers and the heart of a value exchange. They are becoming increasingly informed as they compare the attributes of different brands. Advertising has always been one of the important ways for companies to build strong relationships with consumers. This research aims to study the relationship between brand loyalty and advertising. This research is focused on two kind of advertisements; advertisements through social network and launch events, which have different characters, differences in broadcast frequency, and different promotion methods. Interview and survey were mainly used for this study.

Research results conclude that: 1) The impact of the press conference is greater than advertising through social network and the effect of a precise advertisement is greater than repeated advertising for individuals. 2) Advertisements should be launched in a less forceful way than in the past. They should try to affect consumers subconsciously, to disguise the fact that they are advertisements and thus keep in sync with consumers, in order to help create loyalty through certain brand. 3) Consumers also want to have more interactions with firms and other users and to participate in the creation of brand-consumer relationships. 4) Advertisements have positive effect in creating brand image.

This paper discusses the second phase of sustainability in the field of design and identifies the success factors of design innovation in the ethnic craft industry in northern Thailand. This study explored craftspeople’s capital, their means of developing it, and potential routes to sustainable development on the capital.

The literature review examines three topics: (1) ethnic identity and craft; (2) northern Thailand and hill tribes; and (3) design thinking, vulnerability, and resilience.

Empirical research was conducted with hill tribe craftspeople in northern Thailand. Seven types of capital—human, social, natural, physical, financial, cultural, and emotional capital—were identified through interviews and observation. Those types of capital indicated what the craftspeople wanted and needed.

The key findings were as follows: First, social capital has a close relationship with both human capital and emotional capital, indicating that for craftspeople, networks and membership ensure knowledge and increase connections with friends and family. Secondly, emotional capital is affected by financial capital. Financial capital refers to the monetary resources used to achieve craftspeople’s livelihood objectives. The craftspeople required high order volumes to earn to more money and thus improve their economic condition; they experienced more stress when order volumes were low. Third, financial capital is not related to social and cultural capital. Graphs implied certain relationship among them, with the reasons varying depending on the individual craftsperson’s environment. A high level of social and cultural capital does not affect low financial capital, and vice versa. Finally, cultural capital directly influences emotional capital because the happiness of hill tribe craftspeople is related to their identity and dignity as craftspeople.

According to the ADA (American Diabetes Association), diabetes mellitus is one of the chronic diseases with the highest mortality rate. In the US, 25 million are known diabetics, which may double in the next decade, and another seven million are undiagnosed. Among these patients, older adults are a very special group with varying physical capabilities, cognitive functions and life expectancies. Because they run an increased risk for geriatric conditions, Type 2 diabetes treatments for them must be both realistic and systematic. In fact, some researchers have explored older adults’ experiences of diabetes, and how they manage their diabetes with new technological devices. However, little research has focused on their emotional experiences of medical treatment technology, such as mobile applications, tablets, and websites for geriatric diabetes. This study will address both elderly people's experiences and reactions to devices and their children's awareness of diabetes. It aims to find out how to improve the diabetes treatment and create a systematic diabetes mobile application that combines self-initiated and assisted care together.

This study aimed to explore the relationship between international backpackers and local communities in the developing world. By investigating the role of technology design in a backpacking trip, this research analyzed the potential to improve Sustainable Tourism for both international backpackers and local communities. The idea of achieving sustainability in this research is to assess both economic and cultural impact through the assistance of technology. This study originates from a grounded theory approach triangulated from literature reviews and the researcher’s observations. The research tested the suitability of this theory by using qualitative research methods, then analyzed the appropriateness of its applicability. The findings suggested some useful standards for proposing design solutions to enhance sustainable tourism within the backpacker segment

ABSTRACT

This research investigates the synaesthetic responses consumers have to

branded consumer product designs to aid the design development process.

Through proper application of synaesthetic responses, companies can create

holistic experiences and brand expressions that are loved and trusted by

consumers and thus achieve brand loyalty.

Capturing the hearts and minds of consumers through exceptional

product experiences is one of the primary goals of any design agency, retailer or

Consumer Packaged Good (CPG) company today. Thousands of new products

launch every year and consumers are bombarded with advertising campaigns,

package designs, POP displays, product offerings and new product forms.

Breaking through the visual and verbal clutter by designing for the senses is one

of the key ways design firms and companies can engage with and create a

stronger bond with the consumer.

Connecting with consumers can be achieved through the maintenance of a

compelling brand positioning and the development of brand expressions

(products) that are holistically honest and express their positioning. Holistically

honest designs are designs that capture the senses and the essence of the brand.

Upon initial impression, the package immediately and innately “feels” right –

nothing seems amiss. This includes all of the senses: sight, smell, taste, touch,

and hearing combined with what the consumer knows or believes about the

brand to create a meaningful gestalt. All design touchpoints should be

considered in order to attain the ultimate goal of a holistic design: graphic treatment, typography, words, scent, form, color – any type of sensory stimulator

as these all influence perception and ultimately product and brand trust.

This study will employ qualitative and quantitative research approaches

to understand consumers’ synaesthetic responses to a brand’s expressions.

The humans-food relationship is a 2.5 million year old, symbiotic connection of “living together” which encouraged a “system of communication up and down the food chain” (Pollan, 2008). (Reardon, 2015). Many researchers agree that this connection is a critical foundation for a beneficial relationship with food and engaging in healthy eating behaviors (McKeown, 2010; Neumark-Stainer et al., 2007; Ristovski-Slejepcevic et al., 2008; Simontacchi, 2007). Against the backdrop of a steadily increasing obesity rate and associated spending, it is critical to approach this issue from a systematic perspective such as understanding the powers that impact the consumer-food relationship (Aronne and Havas, 2009). Experts agree that the rapid increase in convenience food environments has contributed to an obesogenic foodscape that has negatively impacted consumers’ understanding of and interactions with food, resulting in consumption of nutritionally poor food, over-nutrition and chronic illness (Brownell and Battle-Horgen, 2004; Nestle, 2002). Additionally, designers and researchers are beginning to recognize the influence the built environment can have on actions (Patel, 2012; Wansink, 2010), behaviors and attitudes (Gallagher, 1993), even hindering or encouraging one to partake in healthy behaviors (Mikkelsen, 2011; Story et al., 2008). The goal of this study is to understand modern built convenience food environment design and its potential to impact the consumer-food relationship. This study utilizes a heavily qualitative approach, structured by a grounded theory methodology due to the lack of existing research (Martin & Hanington, 2012; O’Leary, 2010) and triangulates utilizing an analysis of secondary research, environmental audit through observations and a survey. The final result will be a compilation of design suggestions, based on those findings, for designing a BCCFE that encourages a healthy relationship between the consumer and food.

A post occupancy evaluation (POE) was conducted at the Ngeruka Health Center (NHC) in the Bugesera District of Rwanda. The POE was limited to the education spaces within the health center, its participants, and staff. A POE is a combination of methods both quantitative and qualitative to determine user satisfaction and whether the design intent of the built environment was met.

In rural Rwanda where healthcare facilities are scarce and people become seriously ill from preventable diseases, help is needed. The smallest injuries become life threatening. Healthcare facilities and providers must develop approaches that stop these minor illnesses and diseases from costing further problems.

The healthcare facility is a healing environment. Healing environments nurture health and provide a sense of safety and security. The Ngeruka facility has incorporated education spaces within their facility to teach the community ways to prevent minor health problems from becoming major ones.

The research that was conducted at this healthcare facility sought to answer the main questions: Does the built environment of the NHC contribute to healing by engaging education program attendees to learn about preventing illness and disease and other health promotion strategies? In addition, can you measure healing effects of the built environment?

The research took measurements of the built environment and combined them with user satisfaction questionnaires. Site observations and a participant engagement questionnaire were used to determine the amount of engagement the participants put forth into the education programs within the designated design space. Measuring engagement is a tool schools use to find out if their facilities are producing their intended results. This same thought process was incorporated into this research. The participants did prove to be engaged, but it is not definitive that the built environment was responsible. It was a combination of many factors.

ABSTRACT



Millions of US aging individuals are at risk for mild cognitive impairment (MCI), the early stage of Alzheimer's disease (Ad). Ad is progressive; there is no clinical cure to date. Certain drugs treat symptoms yet fog memory. Memory activity is critical to strengthen cognition. The Phoenix Art Museum (PAM) and Banner Alzheimer's Institute (BAI) founded the Arts Engagement Program (AEP), a non-clinical, specialized arts program for adults with (MCI) and their caregiver. The museum environment is thought to enhance communication and raise self-esteem in certain MCI individuals. The interior surroundings may spurn memory enhancement. Scholarship to substantiate this theory is minimal; therefore, further studies are required. Empirical literature regarding design elements researched specific types of memory impairment was employed. The hypotheses that design elements of the museum's infrastructure and design elements from art themes enhance memory, and the results of these findings when applied to other environments enhance memory emerged. An experience-based study was performed. Semi-structured interviews noting design elements of both infrastructure and art were conducted after each of nine AEP sessions with volunteers from 8 dyads, a term used by the PAM as one caregiver and one MCI individual. The presiding docent was later interviewed. Volunteer interviews with dyads and docents was coded and ranked. Overlapping themes that tallied five or higher were considered significant due the low sample size. Results showed that neither group considered infrastructure design elements or art theme design elements a contributor to memory enhancement. The hypotheses proved null. Both groups expressed pleasure in experiencing the PAM’s environment. Keywords: MCI, infrastructure, art themes.