The design of pictorial assembly instructions

Abstract

This thesis examines and develops knowledge for the design of effective Pictorial Assembly Instructions (PAls). PAls are an important element of products requiring assembly by the consumer as the success of the product relies on the consumer's ability to interpret and enact the instructions correctly. However there is very little research published about their design, particularly with regard to the creation of effective illustrations.

The thesis examines the academic literature in the area of pictorial instruction design in western and developing countries. The positivist reductionist approaches used for the research are critiqued and alternative approaches to research appropriate for PAls are presented. The method used for this thesis is one of designerly research to develop grounded theory expressed as a pattern language and concepts.

The research is expanded via an examination of existing practice and discussions with practitioners regarding how they develop and encode their knowledge for PAl design. This knowledge is set out as a list of guidelines. A project to design PAls for a flat-pack wheel chair for distribution to developing countries is undertaken to further investigate and develop the knowledge for PAl design.

This thesis concludes with a pattern language for PAls and the description of factors to consider in the creation of illustrations for PAls.