Augmentative alternative communication systems aid people with communication disorders by effectively communicating messages through vocabulary symbols that serve as a key interface for message transference. According to the parts of speech, vocabulary symbols can be categorized into nouns, verbs, adjectives, and other main categories. However, no existing study has examined the visual design of adjective symbols. This study was a preliminary investigation on the representations (i.e., photographs and line drawings) and statuses (i.e., static and animated) of adjectives. The objective of this study with two stages was to extract the visual design principles of symbols that can best represent the qualities of investigated adjectives based on satisfaction. In general, the static presentation form was suitable to represent abstract and comparative concepts or situations that required substantial details to prevent increasing mental burdens, whereas the animated presentation form was fit for representing approving, positive concepts.

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The aging of societies has become a topic of great concern for countries worldwide, partially because an aging population creates problems of increased health care, welfare, and caregiving costs. Our study begins with users' need of in-home care, along with content analysis and card sorting. The results were used to develop a smartwatch system for home care and review its application framework. Then, based on the results, the study embarked on the design of the system. Finally, the researchers attempt to know about the usability of the system and users' satisfaction about it through the usability assessment and the analysis of users' experience. According to the users' experience of the smartwatch system, the device effectively improved people's interactions with older adults and provided timely access to health and safety information. We believe that this system can help older adults and their caregivers and families realize the goal of active aging in-home care.

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The purpose of this study is to identify, describe, and discuss the characteristics of current Japanese and United Kingdom universities that offer undergraduate and graduate course with sustainability and ecodesign modules. In order to do so, data was collected of Japanese universities are studied and compared with UK Universities. According to the results, the number of ecodesign and sustainability modules that have been integrated formally into undergraduate and postgraduate level in Japanese universities is relatively low in comparison with UK universities. The eight Japanese universities that offer industrial design courses with ecodesign and sustainability modules are characterized as optional modules with art/craft/design approaches, and the majority are found in private and prefectural universities. In the British universities, the majority of sustainability modules are considered compulsory and characterized as long-term, and five universities offer specialized undergraduate and postgraduate modules in sustainable design.

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Commercial fabrication of laminated bamboo (LB) typically requires sophisticated technology and an abundant supply of energy for pressing. However, small enterprises (with low-technology resources) have found ways to make LB in small job lots. This paper explores how small LB-based enterprises fabricate their products and discusses how potential developments can be made with their limited available resources. A literature review is conducted and three small bamboo-related enterprises are examined to determine current product potentials and investigate the possibilities for new product design and development. The results show that small enterprises use low-level technology to solve problems in all steps of LB fabrication. Some stages in the fabrication sequence can be modified to improve design quality through optimizing the use of clamps for shaping and applying color variation into the products.

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The study explored the feelings experienced by female office workers with respect to color images for business make-up. The degree of color preference for business make-up was determined by evaluating significant differences. The results of this study were as follows. First, aesthetic measures with regards to color matching for business make-up were highly aesthetic and primarily warm in color tone with red and red-purple. Color harmony was based on the combination of the same and similar hues. Secondly, image vocabularies that referred to the color image of business make-up included the terms "natural", "friendly", "elegant", and "mature". Third, four dimension factors were identified on the basis of consumer lifestyle: meticulous planning and emphasis on convenience, reliance on well-known products, vulnerability to other people's behaviors, and brand-oriented. Ultimately, differences in color preferences were shown relative to different lifestyle clusters.

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This article analyzes how the characteristics of cultural beauty in China influence Chinese liquor packages (CLP). We formulate a framework for the liquor package communication process and then analyze it with two processes. In analyzing the design process, we first compare the characteristics of four main Chinese culture categories to propose that different cultural sources lead to unlikely cultural beauty, which makes CLP appear more diverse. Second, we argue that culturally designed liquor packages (CDLP) involve three component levels; these are not only graphic and structural components, but also spiritual components, they work together to stage cultural appeal. Third, we state that CDLP have both denotative and connotative symbolic levels: the former resulting in obvious, general meanings, and the latter resulting in more extensive, personal meanings. Regarding the customer's response process, we propose that because of a relatively complex and meaningful perception process, compared with non-culturally designed liquor packages, CDLP generates customers' more cognitive and aesthetic pleasure. Moreover, CDLP generates better memory retention and recollection, resulting in a more impressive brand image.

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After the Green Revolution program in the 1970s, the farmers in the Klaten area of Central Java were gradually encouraged by the Indonesian government to switch from traditional methods to new methods based on efficiency, quantity, and profitability. The impact of this program resulted 68% of rice straw harvested was burned by farmers as the easiest way to start a new rice planting cycle. To prevent the spread of this situation, the authors of this text attempted to revive the rice postharvest utilisation culture through a workshop in Juwiring 1 Vocational High School. It was proven from the workshop that using 2 major production methods utilised by the traditional Javanese in creating utility and ritual items (bundling and tying), the students could potentially develop the materials into useful items. Through the workshop, the students were taught the important values behind the production process, such as human relations, environmental awareness and appreciation to the artefacts.

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This study designed the new Health Monitoring Seat System (HMSS) that can adapt to an individual, and provide several interactive health care functions. The design process of the system employed the perspective of Timeaxis Design, a concept incorporating the viewpoint of time into the theory and methodology of design, in order to consider the technological progress over time. The proposed system undergoes three development stages: STAGE I, STAGE II, and STAGE III. The system model (system's values, meanings, and the basic architecture) of the HMSS were derived by employing the Multispace Design Method and Systems Modeling Language (SysML). As a result, the HMSS that provides "drowsiness prevention function", "drunken driving prevention function", "stress relief function", "fatigue relief function", "driver condition management function", and "beauty enhancement function"; consists of "data analysis system", "monitoring system", and "seat system" was designed. Furthermore, by constructing the system model for three development stages, visualized the roadmap for the development of the HMSS.

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