Ron Pierce, Director of Strategy and Research at Southern California's leading design and innovation consultancy, Stuart Karten Design, has been selected to speak at the IIT Institute of Design's annual Design Research Conference on May 10 - 12.
As the discipline of Design Research matures, practitioners face new challenges in keeping their services relevant and competitive.
In its 9th year, the Design Research Conference asks the question: "What's Next?"
Pierce, who has lead research programs for the likes of Samsung, LG Electronics, Carefusion and Starkey Laboratories, will share SKD's process of 360-Degree Design Research.
Contending that too often, research's focus on the end user is watered down as a product passes through many hands on its way to production, Pierce proposes an ongoing process in which researchers engage with the client and the end user throughout product development, putting solutions through rigorous testing at multiple phases.
Sharing the story of SKD's engagement with hearing aid manufacturer Starkey, he will show how a 360-degree research process can provide better results for the end user and significant financial returns for the corporation.