Definition of users’ requirements in the customized product design through a user-centered translation method

The design of customized product must correspond to users’ requirements to reach the expectations of the consumer. To include users in the design product process, we are interested in their perception of the product. We essentially realize a technical approach to guide the user for defining his personalized product. Based on the complexities of user’s profiles in order to translate his requirements, we define a systemic approach in a chain of design and additive manufacturing. The method is implemented into a web demonstrator. We defined a combinatory scheme and several illustrated scenari from Information Technology (IT) used as a template to analyze rich field data exchanges. The method provided a toolkit for leading the participation of multiple stakeholders in the design process (users, designers, advisers, community..). Finally, we determine a workflow required to product lifecycle management in the case where the user is in the center of the application to realize a customized product. The research framework shows that the community participation is central to the system so that the economic model is reliable. This paper presents the research method associated to the Internet platform creation. © 2015, Springer-Verlag France.