Published ETD Collection
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10657/2
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Browsing Published ETD Collection by Department "Architecture and Design, Gerald D. Hines College of"
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Item A Service Design to Assist People with Buying Used Cars(2019-12) Liu, Che-Wei; Chow, George K.; Wells, Adam; Kwon, EunSookThis thesis was inspired by international students facing challenges buying used cars in the United States. Buying a used car can be a stressful experience for many people. For international students in particular, the challenge is augmented by factors such as language barriers, time pressures, etc. People buying used cars may experience stress due to different challenges or they may feel mentally paralyzed. Multiple decisions must be made during the buying process. The goal of this thesis was to develop a digital tool based on user-centered research and to design a process to assist people in performing proper inspections when choosing a used car. Based on the research there were opportunities to redesign an OBD2 scanner that fits in the scenario. Four phases of research were used to achieve these aims. In the first phase, a direction was determined by reviewing previous publications, conducting an online survey, and analyzing existing tools. This phase revealed the typical challenges that international students face when buying used cars. Furthermore, findings from this phase showed that performing a proper inspection can be difficult, as individuals must consult multiple resources. The information acquired during this process is not always understandable or memorable. One potential solution for this problem is to get digital assistance with inspection tips. Learning about the proper inspection could improve most people’s buying experience and help them make a vehicle selection. During the second phase, a mobile application and OBD2 (Onboard Diagnostics 2) scanner concept were developed as a means to improve the used car buying experience. These tools were designed to help the user find a reliable used car. Functions of the tools included descriptions of the inspection steps, tips, and assistance with locating nearby inspectors to assist users with car inspections. The mobile application was developed through three iterations and tested with potential users. Testing verified the usability of the mobile application and revealed the need for it to create a faster and more effective solution. Results were analyzed, and a final design was confirmed in the fourth phase. Through four phases of research, this study created an application and a tool that can help international students perform proper inspections and find a reliable used car.Item Cognitive Performance Improvement in a Workstation Design by Applying Biophilia and an Immersive Environment(2018-12) Reyes, Claude; Chow, George K.; Vos, Gordon A.; Bannova, Olga; Camba, Jorge D.An isolated and confined environment, which can be categorized as low, moderate, and extreme risk, is detrimental to the physiological and psychosocial well-being from office workers to space crewmembers. Countermeasures in mitigating the detrimental effects of sensory deprivation and social isolation in an office setting can potentially be applied to long-duration space missions. Moreover, despite the vast amount of research on detrimental effects, little is known on the effects of a wind or air somatosensorial feedback in an immersive virtual environment. A novel office workstation solution, which integrated a biophilic immersive environment and wind feedback, was designed and built. Other workstation design factors included a simple market research, construction & assembly, and ergonomics. The experiment was comprised of comparing 4 environmental conditions. An iPad mini app-based typing (keyboarding) test, Stroop Effect, and a cognitively demanding game (Mastermind) assessments were administered to quantitively measure task-oriented performance in the workstation. The study results were evaluated on the usefulness of the workstation countermeasures, and future development of solutions. Lastly, this study is part of a growing body of research about sensory and socially deprived environments.Item Designing a Novel Support System for Feeding Pumps - A Case Study in User Involvement in Medical Design(2019-05) Bartlett, Kristi Alicia; Chow, George K.; Vos, Gordon A.; Varghese, Shainy B.Usability is an important aspect of medical product design, yet in spite of this fact, many medical device developers do not incorporate user-centered design methods when they design their products. One study found that only one in eleven medical device manufacturers involved users in their design process (Money et al., 2011). One reason that the companies did not involve users was that they considered the opinions of “low-ranking” users like nurses, patients, or family caregivers to not be valuable. The present study hypothesizes that involving “low-ranking” users in the design process will ultimately lead to better design outcomes. Equipment used to hang enteral feeding pumps, such as IV poles and specialized backpacks, was selected as an area of exploration for a case study in user involvement in the medical product design process. Four families whose children use enteral feeding pumps participated in the study. Phase one of the research involved visiting the families’ homes to better understand their difficulties with the equipment and gather their ideas for how it could be improved. “Works-like” prototypes of two different feeding pump holder designs were developed based on their ideas. These two prototypes were tested by the participants in phase two of the study, and they provided feedback on the design. When asked to rank each prototype and their previous feeding pump hanging method on a variety of usability criteria, participants preferred Concept 2: the quick-release system. A final design was developed based on Concept 2 and the participants’ suggestions to further improve it. The final design outcome was “Tag Along,” which is a modular system consisting of a short pole that holds the feeding bag and the feeding pump together as one unit, and can quickly be snapped into a tabletop stand, snapped into a clamp that can be attached to various equipment like wheelchairs, or can hang independently. The participants made valuable contributions to the design in both phases of the research. The results of the case study supported the hypothesis, because the involvement of users in the design process led to a design that was preferred by the users.Item Designing A Novel Vascular Surgery Practice Tool A Participatory Design Approach(2022-08) Jamjoom, Zain Ahmed; Chow, George K.; Bush, Ruth L.; Vos, Gordon A.; Feng, Jeff F.As surgical education moves more toward Simulation-Based Training, surgical simulation must become more accessible to surgical trainees. Vascular anastomosis is an essential skill for surgical residents to learn, as it is used in numerous surgical procedures. However, the opportunities to practice this skill before attempting it on patients are limited. Practice on simulators can help improve this technique, but there is a scarcity of realistic, cost-efficient simulators for the acquisition of vascular anastomosis skills. This study documents the journey of a user-driven design approach in developing a novel low-cost 3D printed Open Vascular Trainer for home use. The result of this process was Suture Lab, an anastomosis training kit comprised of a box model, a pack of Bioplastic Vascular structures, and a log Journal. A face validation was conducted to assess the appropriateness of the model with 4 participants (3 Vascular Surgery (VS) residents and 1 Expert Surgeon (ES)). All the participants rated the simulator to be a very good learning tool for open vascular anastomosis, although they suggested some minor feedback for improvements. Overall, the model appears to be an effective and inexpensive way to acquire open vascular surgery skills.Item Designing for Distress in Pediatric Optometry Exams using a Mixed Methods Case Study and Human-Centered Design(2020-05) Infante, Ronal; Kwon, EunSook; Vos, Gordon A.; Manny, Ruth E.; Martinez, Muriel L.Children can be difficult to examine because they may become noncompliant if their physical and emotional needs are not met. Yet, there is a lack of studies that describe and measure anxiety throughout the entire length of an eye exam, provide qualitative themes about the exam, and investigate if physical and emotional factors and factors related to the exam are correlated with distress. This thesis starts with a descriptive mixed methods case study using a survey, observations, and field notes and subsequently uses the study’s findings to collaborate with doctors and designers to determine key design heuristic principles used in the development of a design for an interventional product that aims to reduce distress during exams. Thus, this thesis serves as an example of how to maximize empathy and include diverse perspectives by merging both traditional scientific research and applied design research methods when designing for healthcare.Item Designing for the Urban Dog: Minimizing the Effects of Urbanization on Dogs(2020-05) Karshis, Alex Larsen; Chow, George K.; Vos, Gordon A.; McCormick, KellyDog's health, exercise, and social life is an essential aspect of their lives and is greatly influenced by their owner and their surroundings, yet despite this fact, many dog owners don't take the time or know of a place to play off-leash. A study done by Texas A&M found that dog owners living in urban areas are not satisfied with dog parks for many reasons; dog parks being one of the most popular places dog owners take their dogs to play off-leash. These reasons include not liking the physical environment of the dog park, not wanting their dog to catch or spread diseases, confrontation with other dogs, or the dog park being out of the way. The rise in dog ownership in urban areas has created an opportunity to learn more about how dogs and their owners stay active, healthy, and social while living in the urban city. Alongside the rise of dog ownership, there is also a rise in urbanism. More people are choosing to live in condensed cities rather than in the spread-out suburbs. Dog owners who live in the city are facing significant challenges due to urbanism when it comes to exercising and keeping their dogs healthy. There are a limited number of areas that dogs can be off-leash, free to run around, exercise, and be social. The present study hypothesizes that dog owners will be encouraged to explore, play, exercise, and socialize with their dog, if there is an increase of usable, temporary, private dog parks. This paper aims to provide guidance for dog owners who live in urban areas and face the challenges of urbanism places on them and their dogs. The present study has gathered and synthesized data from product designers, veterinarians, dog owners, dog trainers, and one dog behaviorist to create a product that serves to help minimize the effects of urbanism on dogs and their owners.Item Designing Furniture for Pediatric Speech-Language Therapy: A Participatory Design Approach(2019-05) Quintero Tarazona, Andres Felipe; Chow, George K.; Kimbrough, Mark S.; Ivey, Michelle L.In the United States, 7.7% of children ages 3-17 have had a disorder related to voice, speech, language, or swallowing in the past 12 months. Moreover, 34% of children ages 3-10 have multiple communication or swallowing disorders. At the same time, of Speech Language Pathologists (SLP), the professionals that provided therapy services for communication and swallowing disorders, 67% provided therapy services in pediatric outpatient clinics. In the pediatric therapy environment, SLPs are exposed to a high risk of developing a musculoskeletal injury and that risk has not been evaluated. The methodology for the present study is based on a Participatory Design (PD) approach; with a total of 20 participants, a new furniture for pediatric therapy was developed and tested. Therefore, the current study is focused on assessing the risk level of SLPs by using a Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA). Based on the results, the new furniture for pediatric therapy was tested by reapplying REBA in order to compare the risk level with the initial assessment. The current risk level for SLPs of developing a musculoskeletal injury ranges from Medium (4-7) to High (8-10). Using the new furniture for pediatric therapy, the risk was lowered between Negligible (1) and Medium (4-7).Item Developing a Ranking System for a Product’s Fitness in the Circular Economy - A Case Study in Modular Ski Poles(2021-05) Cunningham, Catherine Lucille; Chow, George K.; Feng, Jeff F.; McCormick, KellyAs the importance of designing sustainable products grows, the importance of developing in tandem with the Circular Economy also grows. This paper presents and demonstrates a multi criteria decision making method of ranking products in their fitness for the circular economy. This methodology uses an analytical hierarchy process and pairwise comparison matrices to evaluate the criteria and scores assigned to each. In doing so, this process compels the designer to evaluate their systems based on four major factors: repairability, reusability, recyclability, and sustainability. The method was applied to a case study of ski poles comparing a new design for the circular economy with three existing ski pole systems. It proved that if a system is designed with these factors from the beginning, it will better fit into the circular economy. The CE realizes benefits for the consumers, the company, and the environment.Item Enhancing Diversity Through Design Education: A Mixed-Methods Case Study of the Development of a Design-Learning Tool for Minority Youth(2020-05) White, Cameron; Kwon, EunSook; Feng, Jeff F.; Henderson, Jerrod A.Design-focused research has shown how diversity-related considerations are central to the design process; yet and still, racially minoritized individuals are largely absent from the field of professional design. Such existing disparities in racial representation are not due to a shortage of potential designers of color, rather a lack in access to design education and resources within racially minoritized communities. With this in mind, this study highlights and disrupts the minimal focus on design education within communities of color. In addition to enhancing diversity within the design industry, expanding the reach of design education is also beneficial students’ personal development. Grounded in the notion that teaching design thinking aids individuals in building key skills that translate to a variety of situations beyond design, this thesis explores the development and application of a design toolkit and programmatic model which aims to facilitate design education in focal communities. Minorities’ Opportunity to Learn Design (MOLD) is an equity-driven platform that delivers a physical and digital experience to design thinking and learning. Using an exploratory sequential approach, this mix-methods case study examines the development and application of MOLD in real-world settings. The study’s hypothesis asserts that providing design access and resources to racially minoritized students will increase their awareness of design, perceived value of design, and knowledge of the design thinking process. The findings of this case study support the research hypothesis, as the results indicate that awareness and perceived value of design increased among participants' after their interactions with the MOLD design-learning platform.Item Ergonomics of the Rucksack: Timing, Accessibility, and Mobility Considerations(2018-05) Anderson-Kaapa, DreVan; Camba, Jorge D.; Vos, Gordon A.; Bolanos, RicardoMilitary equipment is designed to protect and support soldiers in the operational environment, which can be highly stressful, hazardous, and extremely challenging. In addition to the rigorous training that soldier’s receive to operate under these conditions, they are also issued specialized equipment, spanning offensive, protective and supportive capabilities. It is critical that military equipment does not compound the stress that military personnel are likely to endure while deployed to a combat theatre. This paper examines the military rucksack as a crucial piece of equipment and the effects of rucksack design on the performance of military personnel. Specifically, we examine ergonomic factors of time, accessibility, and mobility which comparably have not received the same attention as other aspects such as load carriage and weight distribution. We report the results of three experimental studies with a group of participants designed to evaluate the drawbacks of current rucksack design from a human factors standpoint. Our results shed light on the most relevant problematic areas of current designs and the requirements for developing future more effective solutions.Item Harvist Atmospheric Water Generator System for the Ag Hub Sustainability Center(2020-05) Martinez, Elliott; Chow, George K.; Vos, Gordon A.; Race, Bruce A.Think of a world where you walk 50 miles, every day, to the nearest source of water that is either compromised or quickly dissipating. This is not a future forecast or a waiting dystopia. According to the World Health Organization, this describes the life of over 2.1 billion people today and is projected to grow to 3.9 billion by 2050 [1]. Usable water is quickly becoming the single greatest fading resource on our planet. Ismail Serageldin said that "the wars of the twenty-first century will be fought over water." Currently, the battlefront for this complex problem is being solved in several ways. While there are many ways to produce water, the atmosphere is an abundant source of it. With over 37.5 million-billion gallons of water vapor, the Earth's atmosphere has the capacity to cover the entire surface of the planet with one inch of rain, if condensed [2]. The purpose of this study is to analyze and design an atmospheric water generator (AWG) for a specific site in Houston, Texas. In this region, humidity averages around 74% annually, with plenty of rainfall year around [28]. While these factors are not the only contributors to water yield, it allows for experimentation in hybrid water yielding methods. By employing fog collection, dew point condensation, and rainwater harvesting, enough water can be provided as needed. The site under analysis is the Ag Hub sustainability center, which is a community centered, eco-education facility. However, the Ag Hub is forecasted to operate under a water deficit. A design process was carried out to conceptualize the Härvist device, a novel, hybrid AWG capable of efficient water yield. This study concludes by analyzing the efficiencies of Härvist, its return on investment, documentation to install and maintain, and its ability to help provide the water supply the Ag Hub needs. By applying a hybrid water production strategy, Härvist can not only help the Ag Hub become "net-zero" in water usage but take a step forward in water production for other similar sites.Item Improving Well-Being With Naber: Creating A Mobile App Experience to Help People Move and Thrive in a New Neighborhood(2018-05) Conley, Amy L.; Feng, Jeff F.; Kwon, EunSook; Damian, Rodica I.Millions of Americans move each year to a new location. Moving can have negative impacts on the movers’ well-being, as they may experience stress due to changes in their routines or feel mentally paralyzed by the multiple decisions that must be made during the process. The goal of this thesis was to develop a digital tool through a user-centered research and design process in order to help with relocation and positively impact the well-being of those who relocate. This thesis conducted four phases of research to find a solution. During the first phase, a direction was determined by reviewing previous publications, conducting interviews, conducting an online survey, and analyzing existing tools. This phase discovered the importance of becoming familiar with a new location due to the positive impact that finding a compatible neighborhood can have on well-being. Furthermore, this phase found that becoming familiar with a new area can be difficult as individuals must consult multiple resources to do so, and the information learned is not always accurate. An opportunity was discovered for those relocating to get digital assistance with finding and exploring compatible neighborhoods. Learning about neighborhood amenities such as grocery stores, restaurants, gyms, parks, and local recreation will help individuals gain a good understanding of whether or not they want to live in a specific neighborhood. During the second phase, a concept of a mobile application was developed that focused on this opportunity. This concept helped the user find a compatible neighborhood by directing him or her down a path that leads to concise yet important information about the neighborhood. During the third phase, three iterations of the mobile application were developed into digital, clickable prototypes and tested with potential users. This testing verified the usability and need of the mobile application to quickly create a more effective solution. Results were analyzed and a final design was proposed in the fourth phase. Through four phases of research, this study created a solution that can help people learn about a new area and find a compatible neighborhood while providing a positive impact on their well-being.Item Maximizing Work Efficiency While Working from Home(2023-07-08) Abebe, Eskinder G.; Chow, George K.; Feng, Jeff F.; Kimbrough, Mark S.; McCormick, KellyIn the swiftly changing realm of remote work, the need for innovative and adaptable home office solutions has never been more pressing. A qualitative research study was conducted to address this issue, utilizing a case study emphasis to identify and formulate solutions to optimize productivity for remote workers. The study employed various research methods, including surveys, interviews, focus groups, and prototyping and usability testing, to gain valuable insights and stimulate the development of novel product ideas. The data collected yielded interesting results, highlighting remote workers' most common challenges, such as distractions, efficiency, disruptions, difficulties in staying on task, and diverse attention. The study identified four main themes, including planning/organizing, isolate/focus, mobile/flexible, and disconnect, which led to the development of innovative solutions that cater to the diverse needs of remote workers. The concept development process resulted in three distinct concepts, each addressing remote workers' different needs and preferences. The prototyping and testing phases focused on creating tangible experiences of the proposed products, creating a final product that combines a mobile work system with an additional medium-sized desk, a work organization mechanism, and an LED light bar for video calls and night work. The final product is designed to enhance the work-from-home experience and cater to the diverse needs of remote workers, providing a multifunctional, adaptable, and comfortable workspace that facilitates productivity and flexibility. Overall, this research study provides a compelling investigation into the complexities and challenges of remote work, offering innovative and adaptable solutions to meet the needs of modern workers.Item Native Plant-Based Phytoremediation of Atrazine in Surface Waters Using a Floating Raft System(2017-12) Lincoln, Ashley R.; Chow, George K.; Vos, Gordon A.; Rodrigues, Debora F.Water systems in the 21st century have improved drastically compared to historical precedents due to the implementation of multi-stage treatment systems. In spite of such progress, issues with contamination still remain. Persistent contaminants, such as the herbicide atrazine, plague surface water systems well outside the bounds of American farming regions and have established a constant presence in raw and treated drinking water. Despite being monitored as a regulated contaminant by the US Environmental Protection Agency, ‘healthy’ exposure levels are still the subject of debate among water protection and health watchdog groups. This thesis utilizes a review of water system literature to identify a potential solution for atrazine contamination using phytoremediation treatment technology deployed in floating raft systems to reduce the impact on surface water. Extensive study of precedents, hydroponics, boat design, biomimicry, and human factors considerations informed a design process for the development of a raft system prototype. A study of the prototype was conducted using 30 novice users to identify areas of improvement in terms of human factors considerations, functional attributes, and subjective characteristics. Along with gathering primary research into a possible connector unit design, this study sought to evaluate the potential for project success using a comparative analysis against a leading market competitor. This thesis concludes that the project shows promise, but requires additional testing in a large scale, longitudinal study to ensure future implementations are met with success.Item Promoting Mindfulness among Young Adults: Creating a Portable Device Using Breathing Exercise to Cope with Anxiety and Stress(2023-06-14) Fang, Suochun; Feng, Jeff F.; Morshedzadeh, Elham; Gallagher, Matthew W.In the United States, the percentage of adults who experienced mild, moderate, or severe symptoms of anxiety was highest among those aged 18–29 and decreased with age. More than 8.8 million young adults reported having a mental illness and 42% of them went untreated. Among all mental disorders, anxiety disorder is the most prevailing one among young adults (43%). Anxiety Disorders are usually caused by excessive anxiety and stress due to environmental and physiological reasons. When trying to cope with those excessively anxious and stressful feelings, young adults are facing challenges from insufficient mental health literacy, a dearth of accessible and affordable mental health services, stigmas, etc. According to the statistical results from a survey conducted among the University of Houston students in this study, respondents are experiencing anxiety and stress at a high frequency. It is also shown in survey results that the reliance on coping methods of disengagement is noticeable. Those methods could be considered maladaptive coping methods by the definition of the latter, which suggests the likelihood of contributing to increased distress, discomfort, and anxiety over time. Aiming to promote adaptive coping methods among young adults, human-centered design processes were taken for product development. The proposed interventional product takes the form of a pebble and features a portable device providing both visual and tactile feedback to users for breathing exercises. Leading to such a result, this study created a solution that can deliver short-term assistance and help young adults to form a habit of adaptive coping.Item Space Tourism, Scaling Up(2018-12) Gould, Bradley; Bell, Larry S.; Bannova, Olga; Toups, LarryThe space industry, typically known for research and exploration, is transitioning into commercial ascendancy. Tourism could be a strong catalyst for the success of the industry, as more interest means more dollars. The challenge lies in a distant break-even point; all enterprises thus far have tapped out. One strategy to overcome this hurdle is to increase the number of customers. The purpose of this work is to demonstrate a strategy for accommodating the growth of the space population from tens to hundreds to thousands, identifying limitations that must be overcome and opportunities to be found along the way.Item The Ergonomics and Functionality of Orthopedic Shoes: A Research Study to Develop a Better Orthopedic Shoe for People with Diabetes(2023-07-08) Lopez, Erika Renee; Feng, Jeff F.; Vos, Gordon A.; Adepoju, Omolola E.According to the American Diabetes Association, over 37 million adults in America have diabetes. Diabetes comes with many side effects and can severely impact foot health. Symptoms such as neuropathy, ulcers and Charcot foot are regularly seen in patients with diabetes. People with diabetes-related foot conditions are often recommended to wear orthopedic shoes. Features, such as a wide toe box, extra cushioning, and soft, stretchy fabrics are incorporated into orthopedic shoes to accommodate for affected feet and help prevent ulcers and other damage. The study shows that most orthopedic shoes do not meet patients’ comprehensive needs including a perfect fit, discomfort due to not enough cushion or the cushion wearing out quickly, difficulties in putting on, and appropriate visual appeals. Findings from an online survey and in-person interviews confirmed that most people with diabetes are not satisfied with the current orthopedic shoes and would like to see improvements in functionality and aesthetics. This project uncovers specific unmet needs in the orthopedic shoes and aims to design an orthopedic shoe with improved support, conformity, accessibility, and aesthetics. A functioning prototype was developed and tested by the researcher. Participants reviewed the prototype by viewing videos and touching and looking at the shoes. Design modifications were made based on the feedback. An improved prototype was validated through a second round of assessment. Through a user-centered design approach, a better alternative to current orthopedic shoes was developed to make the lives of those who have diabetes-related foot conditions easier and healthier.Item The Overlap and Influence of Product Development with Business Development: A Case Study on Insu Health Design, Inc.(2020-05) Lucich, Mason; Feng, Jeff F.; Vos, Gordon A.; McCormick, Kelly; Ponder, Stephen W.Every year industrial design students and inventors around the world come up with beautiful, thoughtful designs for products they would like to bring to market, but more often then not they simply sit in their design portfolios or on a shelf, never filling the need they were intended to. We have a massive amount of knowledge and potential available to us as designers, and there is a path to bringing those products to market, but that path isn’t adequately covered in design education. This study is a deep dive into the development processes of a company I founded last year to bring one of those designs to the market, and works to demonstrate the importance of the overlap between product development and business development. We are developing a portable, personal, battery powered biological medication cooler. The initial design of the product differs vastly from the final design, as the product changed and the business changed as we developed both simultaneously. Through the development of the company, the product, and the underlying technology, the product design and the business plan have changed in response to each other. The final design solution is a battery powered, personal, portable bio-medicine cooler designed to usurp the refrigerator as the permanent storage solution for one’s bio-medicine. The main take-aways from this study were: • Customer discovery helps uncover the true need of the customer, which rendered our initial design useless. • Researching and understanding your addressable market helps to inform what kind of device you should design, and for whom. • Understanding the true potential for the technology you’re developing helps steer the product design into a viable market, possibly filling a need you had not originally intended. • Understanding the potential and limitations of the product and technology you’re developing should steer the business. • You can’t force a product on people who don’t want it. • As business direction changes, the product design changes, and thus the business direction changes more. You cannot be afraid to pivot.Item The P. H. O. S. E. Design A Tool to Pursue Psychological Health during Long Duration Space Missions(2022-12-15) Seymour, Hannah N.; Bannova, Olga; Toups, Larry; Kennedy, Kriss J.; Bell, LarryThe Psychological Health and Operational Simulation Environment (PHOSE) design looks to use Augmented Reality equipment and sensory technologies to build a psychologically enriching environment as well as training environments. Through virtual experiences, users would be able to mimic a large variety of creative outlets without having to jeopardize their storage or their environment. By realistically mimicking environmental factors, the PHOSE would be able to accurately replicate mission operations as well to allow the crew members to run through tasks for their limited time on the red planet. The biggest factor for space mission success is the crew that is participating in the mission. With so many influences that deteriorate the space crews’ mental health over time, there need to be strong psychological countermeasures to maintain mental wellness throughout the entire mission. Throughout human history, creative outlets have helped people through daily life and extreme situations by relieving psychological stress. Outlets such as painting, baking, and dancing have all become powerful tools for positive mental health. During long-duration missions, however, astronauts will not have the luxury of excess storage for a variety of creative outlets. Not all outlets and art forms may work in a zero-gravity environment. Depending on the materials, some art mediums may even be harmful in contained environmental conditions. One of the eight main sources of mental stressors in space, identified by NASA researchers, is mission readiness. Being prepared for the next phase of the mission or being ready for emergency procedures is a big boost in stabilizing an astronaut’s mental health. Therefore, there needs to be a way to recreate these activities that stimulate positive mental health in a manner that does not occupy too much storage but also mimics the familiarity of these creative outlets here on earth and mission requirements on the Martian surface. That is where the PHOSE design fulfills the gap in the astronauts’ well-being.Item Visualizing Divergent Potential: Development of an AI Driven Research Tool to Study the Role of Perception in Divergent Thinking(2019-05) McEuen, Aaron Ross; Kwon, EunSook; Wells, Adam; Dorsa, EdThe focus of this research is divergent thinking as an exercise; both its capacity as one of several essential mechanisms of creative behaviors and the affectual conditions inherent to it. Using a perceptual model as an object of focus, the conditions that affect an individual designer’s perceptual model are studied. It is hypothesized that inflating a perceptual model to entail a greater variety of attributes entails growth in a perceptual model. Growth imbues a greater divergent potential from one’s perceptual model. The purpose of this study is to express the prescriptive role of perception in the context of divergent thinking through a visual model of DP and produce a replicable process for visualizing DP as a research tool. A conceptual framework is advanced in three phases: a literature review of the relevant body of knowledge, an exploratory survey used to identify relationships between scenarios of growth and divergent thinking, and lastly the application of those insights into the formation of an illustrative model of divergent potential model. The DP forecasting constellation model can then be used as a process in future research to study conditions that affect divergent thinking outputs. An exploratory study indicates that growth in a perceptual model can occur in at least two scenarios; observational growth and ideational growth indicating that divergent thinking can be mapped through the growth of a perceptual model which is prescriptive to divergent thinking. This indicates that divergent thinking is related to the plasticity of a perceptual model. Divergent potential (DP) is posited as a static metric to forecast divergent thinking. Using a two-part artificial intelligence, natural language processing tools are deployed to dissect and classify unique perceptual models into boundary of language. This is used to generate a collection of coordinate points to sequentially plot a three dimensional curve. The resulting constellation predicts divergent potential as prescribed by an individual’s perceptual model. These divergent potential forecasting constellations are contextualized in a case study of designers.