Methodological proposal for non-conventional users (dogs) based on owner perception: Training station

Abstract

This paper presents a design methodology aimed at unconventional users, specifically dogs, in response to the problem of noise pollution. Traditionally, design has favored an anthropocentric approach, focused onto human needs; however, the growing formation of multispecies families requires expanding the scope of action to living beings unable to directly voice their perceptions. In this context, the research proposes a methodological process built upon the interpretation of the owner as a mediator of the animal's responses, by incorporating semi-structured interviews, observational tools, and comparative qualitative analyses (QCA). The proposal is structured in seven different stages. The implementation of QCA is an innovative contribution, as it allows for the evaluation of causative configurations between variables, namely, noise reduction, ornamentation, pet restfulness, as well as ethological training, linking them to improvements in quality of life of the human-dog tandem. Preliminary data shows that the methodology facilitates generating solutions which more efficiently satisfy the animal's real needs, as it is based on behavior as documented by their owners. Also, it addresses the pertinence of accounting for canine auditory well-being and the physiological and behavioral consequences of exposure to loud noises. In conclusion, this methodology proposal contributes to dignifying non-conventional users by means of an adaptable and repeatable framework that transcends anthropocentrism and promotes innovation in contemporary design.