3D-visualizations as a Means for Engaging Users And Actors as Co-designers in the Fuzzy Front-end Of Product Development

This paper explores the role of photorealistic images created by computer generated 3D models when designing complex systems in the fuzzy front-end of innovation. It discusses how realistic visualizations can engage users and actors as co-designers in early stages of product development. The paper introduces the SimSam project as a case where participation from expert-users and stakeholders has been critical for the decisions made in the design process and the ability to implement the selected design. The computer generated visualizations were a key element in engaging these participants in the front-end of the process. This paper takes up this position with reference to computer generated 3D representations and their potential in helping realize complex relations between tools, participants and representations in product development. The results show that the 3D-visualizations had an impact on involving participants in the design tasks and when implementing the concept on internal and external levels