The pursuit of happiness; redefining the interior design of a Car2Go vehicle.
T.F. Duste · 2014
This graduation project redefines the interior of a Car2Go vehicle by using Design for happiness as explorative research. Design for Happiness is a fairly new term in the design world and is increasingly applied, though there is still no existing methodology. The outcomes of this report will be used as a case study for a scientific paper at the TUDelft, concerning the methodology of Design for Happiness. The report walks through four steps of happiness: the current level, the base level, the essence and the outlook of happiness. All outcomes are derived from literature research, in-depth observations using ECC, surveys and interviews. The goal is to identify the steps to design for happiness in the particular case of car sharing. Though the use of a personal vehicle interior is primarily different than the use of a sharing vehicle interior, the design of the two is indifferent. Instead of designing on a functional level meant for individual use, it should be a reflection on the emotional needs in sharing context. Towards the somewhat rigid design attitudes present in the automotive industry the facets of positive design can redefine older thinking patterns. The first level, the current level of happiness searches for existing values within the product that already increases happiness. In this particular case, Car2Go should maintain a car that is small in dimensions and electrically driven. The base level of happiness creates short-term happiness by taking out negative emotions. The interior is designed to be easily cleaned and to be intuitive in use. Quantitative rules define the design of the floor, seats, dashboard and doors. The floor should have a flowing design without gaps and holes. A gully can be implemented to cover dirt and for personalization purposes. The seat should be connected to make it easier to clean and to improve the use of getting in and out. The dashboard should have a personal communication towards the driver and should guide the user through its user steps. The doors should cover its compartment areas with a panel; which can have multiple applications. According to Design for Happiness, solving the contradiction between collective needs and individual behaviors evokes long-term happiness. These qualitative rules are discussed in the essence of happiness. An interaction is designed that changes along the expert level of the user. In phase 1 social driving is stimulated by rewarding each other’s behaviors. In phase 2, a radar map shows the positions of other Car2Go’s to stimulate collective collaboration. The last phase gives occasional rewards to stimulate explorative city behavior. The final design gives a platform for interaction and combines the quantitative and qualitative rules in one interior design. The last level, the outlook of happiness, looks at the society implementation within the future developments of Car2Go. It suggests an increase in tourism purposes, whereas to link the personal needs of this specific group to the city possibilities. In conclusion, Design for happiness is not a key finding that manifests in one design element; it is a gradual change through all levels of happiness. For every level, happiness increases.