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    UX design is a multidisciplinary challenge

    We work where digital meets physical. The best user experiences are delivered by designing for the physical and digital worlds side-by-side.

    Our integrated approach involves designers and UX specialists working alongside researchers, human factors and usability specialists, graphic designers, and hardware, software and mechanical engineers. This multidisciplinary team is able to generate the right user experiences, whether for future gazing concepts or for your next product launch, and support them through to final production.

    Creating synergy between the digital and the physical

    We believe that new and exciting opportunities can be found when a user experience (UX) or user interface (UI) crosses the boundaries between multiple senses, engaging the user on a range of levels.

    We specialise in designing interfaces and user systems that transcend traditional limitations. Our multidisciplinary approach creates compelling designs for products and services that exist across the spectrum of the physical and digital world, delivering seamless and meaningful complete system experiences to your users.

    Creating multi-sensorial responses

    We live in a world where our experiences are defined by our response to a range of multi-sensorial factors, whether these be light, sound, temperature, smell or touch. It is the multi-modal combination of these factors that determines the nature of our experiences.

    We are building tools to control these multi-factor inputs and test the resulting holistic experiences.

    Using games engines for immersive UX development

    We have developed highly effective and efficient ways to create engaging user experiences using a range of interactive tools.

    Using games engines like Unity, we can rapidly design, develop and test fully immersive user interactions, Starting from initial ideas, we can take interaction solutions to a high levels of maturity suitable for porting onto the final production embodiments.

    Building on real world user experiences

    Our UX solutions are built on a foundation of research and a detailed understanding of stakeholder needs.

    At the beginning of any project, we determine how information flows and interactions with users affect the overall system performance.

    This leads to a detailed exploration of what information is required, where and when it should be displayed, and in what format. The objective is to add value by better engaging with users, allowing them to be more effective and efficient.

    We apply this same rigorous, evidence-led approach to all forms of information exchanges, including physical interfaces, embedded displays, smartphone apps, and voice-based systems.

    Safety critical interfaces

    For high integrity, highly regulated markets and applications, such as medical, the user interface is a safety critical element of the product or system.

    It’s imperative that usability is unambiguous and error-proofed, while the underlying software architecture and code must be rigorously specified, planned, designed and tested against the relevant standards and regulations.

    Understanding different contexts

    We design interfaces for a wide range of products from ship positioning systems to simulator flight decks and medical devices.

    To deliver work across a this range of platforms we have developed a unique suite of tools that enable us to develop context appropriate graphical user interfaces (GUIs) flexibly and quickly.

    Collaboration with users

    Nothing quite matches putting something representative and functional into the hands of users and key project stakeholders that they can engage with as realistically as possible.

    We understand that there is a range of factors at play, underpinning the success or failure of a user experience. Our design teams work hand in hand with our researchers and human factors specialists to fully understand the true user needs, which will be unique to each project.

    Powering the user experience through technology

    We have the in-house skills to create embedded software running on prototype hardware to drive and control physical interaction elements. We develop the corresponding Android / iOS / web applications in parallel to interface with these physical solutions and bring the developing user interactions to life.

    This allows us to validate such integrated physical and digital solutions during the development process, which is critical to building confidence in the legitimacy of the proposed user experience.

    Enabling neural network learning as part of the user experience

    Combining a suitable computer, camera and neural network learning with a PoseNet model, we can train the resulting system to scan for signs sub-optimal user experiences, such as postural discomfort or inefficient motion, either at a micro or full body level. 

    This detailed analysis of a user's physical interaction with a product or system provides us with the evidence we need to inform and improve the final outcome for the user.

    User experience in a connected world

    As the world becomes ever more connected, users increasingly expect to be able to control, interrogate and even update their smart products using their phones, tablets and computers.

    Maximising compatibility for the widest range of user communication devices and operating systems while maintaining a reliable, secure connection is key when selecting your wireless protocol.

    Identifying and incorporating cutting edge functionality that will make your product stand out while accommodating the full spectrum of user physical capability and cognitive understanding, means that we may well have to address potentially conflicting demands. Balancing these with technical requirements such as long battery life and small package size is challenging, and requires the knowledge and experience that comes from delivering successful real world solutions.

    Design iteration and testing

    When it comes to touch and feel the best outcomes evolve with time and practice.

    Design is a dynamic process which relies on feedback generated through multiple iterations, prototyping and testing.

    App development process

    Through experience, DCA has developed a workflow approach to undertake app development for our clients. This bespoke process can be tailored and refined to the particular requirements of any specific project.

    First and foremost the workflow allows us to manage the app development through a series of agreed gateways.

    It also aims to clarify the scope of the development work from the outset by capturing the overall operating landscape, compliance and regulation requirements and functionality.

    As the process moves from low fidelity prototypes to first release fully functioning apps, we utilise co-collaboration software so that all relevant stakeholder groups can have their input throughout the development journey.

    VR and AR capability

    Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) are an integral part of our mainstream design activities.

    VR is an invaluable tool to experience and engage with space, form and proportion in a truly immersive way. As soon as 3D CAD models exist, VR can make size and perspective real and interactive in a way that an on screen presentation can never really capture.

    AR complements the VR process by enabling real world and virtual worlds to be combined. The overlay of information to allow a new design concept to reside in the real world can be further enhanced by computer-generated perceptual information. This can include visual, auditory and haptic feedback.

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      Share this page:

      • UX design is a multidisciplinary challenge.
      • Creating synergy between the digital and the physical.
      • Creating multi-sensorial responses.
      • Using games engines for immersive UX development.
      • Building on real world user experiences.
      • Safety critical interfaces.
      • Understanding different contexts.
      • Collaboration with users.
      • Powering the user experience through technology.
      • Enabling neural network learning as part of the user experience.
      • User experience in a connected world.
      • Design iteration and testing.
      • App development process.
      • VR and AR capability.
      Client secure area

      SECTORS

      • Medical and Scientific
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      SERVICES

      • Systems Engineering
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      NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

      • Pharmapack 2023
      • TouStar® wins two major awards for Eco-design
      • Sustainability and drug delivery devices
      • AllStar® Connect wins 2021 GOOD DESIGN award
      • Don’t develop a connected drug delivery device without reading this
      • Voltaren Easy Open Cap wins Bronze DBA
      • Triple award win for two products designed by DCA
      • Designing for diversity
      • Leo Cancer Care and DCA recognised with a 2021 GOOD DESIGN award
      • Why the IVDR is changing the way we develop diagnostic devices
      • Tackling water scarcity with P&G
      • BD awards DCA 2020 Product Innovation Supplier of the Year

      DCA Design International

      19 Church Street, Warwick CV34 4AB England T: +44 (0)1926 499461 E: [email protected]
      Registered Name: DCA Design International Ltd Registered in England and Wales Registered Number: 1995159 Registered office: 19 Church St, Warwick, CV34 4AB

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