ESTABLISHMENT OF DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS FOR SPORTS EQUIPMENT BASED ON A METHODOLOGICAL PROPOSAL BASED ON EMPATHY

Abstract

This article aims to develop a
methodology for the establishment
of design requirements
for sports equipment. The proposal
consists of three stages:
empathizing, determining and
creating. The first and most
important stage involves the
user as the focus of all decisions
throughout the design process.
The study was carried out with
Mexican artistic roller skating
athletes to obtain regional parameters
of sports equipment;
however, the proposal is highly
scalable and applicable to other
fields. Considering the users and
their needs throughout the design
process permits empathizing with
them in order to obtain useful and
reliable results to be applied to
a final product, which can in turn
result in a greater acceptance.
The formulation of the methodology
seeks to reach a state of empathy
with the users and obtain accurate
information about their needs,
desires and aspirations. The results
established the physical characteristics
of Mexican skaters, which
serve as a starting point for the
manufacturing of various products.
The proposed methodology is
applicable to areas outside of
sports, since it generates a guide
that allows to know the user in
order to develop products according
to specific needs.