Furniture Design Based On User Research

With the development of the times, some words become more and more popular which is focus on "human", such as "people-oriented","User-Centered Design","user experience" and so on. During the recent years, many companies have begun to do user research, which is applied to web design and product design. However, in our country, user research has not been given sufficient attention and practice in furniture industry.From the perspective of user research, this article discussed the contact between users and products in furniture design. It puts forward the concept of "furniture design based on user research" and analyzed the feasibility of this concept.Furniture design based on user research is a user-oriented theory throughout the entire furniture product life cycle. The furniture product life cycle is divided into four stages:development stage, growth stage, maturity stage and decline stage. During the development stage, design strategies go with the process of user research. First of all, after desk research such as user background information collection and analysis, design ideas can be proposed. Secondly, draw the design sketches according to the analysis of the user questionnaire survey. Thirdly, confirming the design proposal according to the user observations and user interviews. Fourthly, optimize the design proposal through the analysis of user roles and user scenarios, then determine the furniture proofing products. Finally, confirm the design scheme according to the usability testing. During the growth stage, on one hand, user research subdivision can refine furniture products by considering increasing the products new functions, increasing new functions, developing new series of products. On the other hand, It can Improve the quality of the furniture products by Adjusting the material of the furniture products, optimizing the appearance of the product. During the maturity stage, improving the performance and appearance of furniture, increasing scientific and technological content can extend the period of maturity, meanwhile avoiding the loss of the user caused by product homogeneity. During the decline stage, Qualitative user research method can judge whether it is feasible to change the target user groups. If it is feasible, the products would back to the development stage. If it is not feasible, the products would be eliminated or recycled into new products with creativity.This article demonstrates the feasibility of the concept of furniture design based on user research with a project of "New Oriental" series products which is designed by LANDBOND Group Co., Ltd. It is expected to have certain referential significance in inspire design thinking of furniture designer, enhance the quality of furniture products, improve customer satisfaction and increase the profits of furniture enterprises.