As long as information systems do not become overly large and while they address a well-known domain, they can be controlled by engineering staff. Nevertheless, when dealing with large-scale, complex, or innovative information systems, it can be difficult to separate design issues and to formulate a meaningful information system proposal. In such a context, platforms for software engineering ap...

My academic career of more than 50 years has been committed to involving undergraduate and graduate students in the engineering design process [1]. A variety of experiences—childhood model making, vocational high school education, draftsman jobs, and military assignments during World War II—have convinced me that design is best learned by the necessity of reaching wellestablished and defined de...

It is argued that the fields of science and engineering are at two ends of a spectrum of shared technological products (artifacts) and processes in which, at any given time and to some lesser or greater degree, scientists behave as engineers and engineers as scientists, creating technological artifacts and contributing to knowledge domains that drive and advance both fields. Employing an exampl...

Usability engineering represents a general framework for thinking about the design of usable systems. Nevertheless, the usability of a product is strongly determined by the social and cultural contexts of prospective users. In this paper we draw upon Organisational Semiotics and Participatory Design to promote the usability of systems designed for the context of work in organisations. Our appro...

Subject review Combining Industrial and Functional Design methodologies for the development of new products and systems requires a broad understanding of human behaviour and industrial activities. The requirements of international standards, protection of the environment and the ability to make a profit on sales requires a sound attitude and approach to succeed, especially in current economic c...