Luke A Harmer | Loughborough University (original) (raw)

Journal and Conference Papers by Luke A Harmer

Published in the proceedings of PLATE conference 2015

This paper addresses the discrepancy between the expected and actual lifetimes of vacuum cleaners... more This paper addresses the discrepancy between the expected and actual lifetimes of vacuum cleaners considering perceived ‘brokenness’ as a driver for replacement. Among electrical products, vacuum cleaners have a high rate of domestic ownership in the UK. They also embody large quantities of greenhouse gases which could be reduced by increasing their longevity and resource efficiency (Schreiber et al., 2012). A focus on energy efficiency has only shown limited or even negative results, therefore to meet recent European Union regulations on durability requirements a focus on product longevity is needed. Around one half of new vacuum cleaners purchasers replace one less than 5 years old, far below its expected lifespan, with perceived breakage, poor performance and unreliability as the major reasons for replacement. Their relative simplicity could allow vacuum cleaners to last for significantly longer. The nature of the common causes of failure is known, including stretched cords or blockages, and WRAP has developed guidelines for product improvements. However, many working or repairable machines are disposed of because they are perceived to be ‘irremediably’ broken.
This paper explores the drivers of perceived brokenness through empirical work that suggested a loss of suction influences replacement decisions. Suction is closely connected to the machine’s condition. Regular, minor maintenance preserves suction power for longer but users appear to neglect it, even finding it irritating (Electrolux 2013). Users’ lack of interest in maintenance is a major barrier to prolonging the machines’ lifespans, and aligns with their view of vacuum cleaners as ‘mechanical servants’ offering easy, effortless cleaning (Jackson 1992). However, when a tool breaks down or loses efficiency it suddenly demands attention. The paper addresses possible (and concurrent) factors determining ‘brokenness’ and the mental calculation of the effort required to rectify it, such as perceived difficulty and the cost of replacement or repair. Using Latour’s concept of delegation, it proposes a biological analogy for the relationship between user and machine to establish that brokenness is not necessarily an intrinsic condition but, rather, a perception of the machine demanding unwanted effort of the user.

Papers by Luke A Harmer

2019 Fourteenth International Conference on Ecological Vehicles and Renewable Energies (EVER), 2019

This paper looks at the challenges to shift the mobility culture from ownership to sharing, in th... more This paper looks at the challenges to shift the mobility culture from ownership to sharing, in the context of ecological and autonomous vehicles. It proposes the observation of social aspects of car use and to build knowledge to educate people to live in a shared mobility scenario, and points out the importance of developing meaningful mobility experiences The paper looks into the context of rural transport and questions the monetization of shared mobility through the analysis of the Joyful Journeys project which observes the case of an elderly driver who gives lifts in a countryside village. It addition, it investigates through a new analysis of the RCA´s Frisbee car sharing project, aspects of placemaking and identity related to sharing cars. It concludes by indicating how the concepts of resilience, inclusive design and identity can develop in a shared mobility context. The paper proposes the development of sharing cars beyond business models, product and services development, but through designing a cultural change.

As Mary Douglas famously put it, ‘where there is dirt there is system’ (1991 (1966): 35). She was... more As Mary Douglas famously put it, ‘where there is dirt there is system’ (1991 (1966): 35). She was concerned particularly with the cultural systems that determine the ideas about dirt that motivate and constrain people’s actions with material objects. This paper assumes that such motivations and constraints may affect consumers’ willingness to keep or to dispose of their possessions, and therefore have an impact on product longevity. It reports on ongoing empirical research using product analysis, ethnographic interviews, a questionnaire and student design work into the possibility of increasing the longevity of vacuum cleaners by design interventions. Because its object of study is a cleaning product used in everyday cleaning practices, the research naturally connects with Douglas’ ideas as well as more recent work such as Dant 2003 that focuses on how people deal practically with the materiality of dirt, not determined by cultural categories. This paper builds on Vaussard et al.’s ...

An apparent reduction in the average lifetime of vacuum cleaners is explored in this paper in rel... more An apparent reduction in the average lifetime of vacuum cleaners is explored in this paper in relation to their perceived usability and increasingly frequent product replacement. Motivations for product disposal combine perceived and real product failure with a perceived or real improved product offer. From an historical perspective, vacuum cleaners typify this pattern, continually offering a ‘cheaper and improved’ product. Vacuum cleaner manufacturers reinvigorate the sense of satisfaction and revulsion associated with extracting dirt from our homes through new performance focused product development. For example, increased motor power, filtration, bag-less machines and clear bin compartments have all acted as sales drivers, whilst cost effective materials and offshore and more efficient manufacturing have reduced purchase prices. The latter, cost-driven, processes can create machines that are more likely to be functionally and aesthetically damaged in use, reinforcing the trend fo...

Journal of Cleaner Production, 2019

This paper explores the relationship between people's feelings about dirt, and an apparent reduct... more This paper explores the relationship between people's feelings about dirt, and an apparent reduction in the lifetime of vacuum cleaners. The short lifespans of vacuum cleaners is a significant environmental issue. In addition to the waste generated, they have an impact on climate change: vacuum cleaners account for the second largest embodied greenhouse gas emissions of electrical goods in the UK after televisions, largely because of their high sales volumes. Drawing from qualitative and quantitative research undertaken for the UK Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra), the paper demonstrates that one motivation for vacuum cleaner replacement is the increased enjoyment from dirt removal that a new vacuum cleaner may provide. The paper also shows that premature disposal can occur once a product becomes dirty and visually damaged, and whilst functional, is perceived to be less effective. Solutions to premature disposal were explored through the co-creation of design concepts and design features were tested via an online survey. Vacuum cleaner users were clustered into four cleaner types; Spartan, Minimal, Caring and Manic. Overall, respondents reported that improving the ease of maintaining vacuum cleaners would be the most effective way to help them to increase their vacuum cleaner's longevity. Across all cleaner types maintenance levels were low, although Caring and Manic cleaners were significantly more likely to undertake such tasks. Motivations for disposal were similar across cleaner types and we found no evidence that Caring and Manic cleaners disposed of their machines earlier because they were 'worn out.' We discovered that Caring and Manic cleaners spend the most on their vacuum cleaners, vacuum more often and are the most likely to replace their machine after the shortest period. Those willing to do 'a lot more' to help the environment were significantly more likely to want to 'keep the floors in my home spotlessly clean' and significantly more likely to indicate that they preferred their vacuum cleaner to look new. Consequently, the paper proposes that design interventions to increase vacuum longevity should be targeted toward Caring and Manic cleaners and concludes with key design recommendations for these two cleaner types.

Key Engineering Materials, 2011

The research has monitored both real time and concepts of human-powered products (HPP) ranging fr... more The research has monitored both real time and concepts of human-powered products (HPP) ranging from conscious user interaction and fun concepts, to parasitic harvesting concepts. These ‘products’ have been characterised and mapped onto an ‘Interaction Map’ which is defined and described by two intersecting dimensions: one is defined by a sub/conscious user interaction and the other is defined by the mechanism of the product. This paper presents the results of a case study conducted with first year product design undergraduate students at Nottingham Trent University in January 2011. Students were briefed to select an electronic product and (re)design it into an interactive ‘off the grid product’, where its functional power is not being supplied by neither the power grid nor any kind of technology driven power units such as photovoltaic power cells. The results produced a comparative analysis, mapping student project concepts against results from real time HPP monitoring of existing p...

What is broken? Expected lifetime, perception of brokenness and attitude towards maintenance and ... more What is broken? Expected lifetime, perception of brokenness and attitude towards maintenance and repair Salvia G. (a) , Cooper T. (a) , Fisher T. (b) , Harmer L. (a) and Barr C. (a)

Proceedings of the 17th International Conference on Engineering and Product Design Education (E&PDE15), Great Expectations: Design Teaching, Research & Enterprise, Sep 3, 2015

This paper concerns pedagogic research, which explores the process and student benefits of a coll... more This paper concerns pedagogic research, which explores the process and student benefits of a collaborative ‘design and build’ engineering team activity. The need remains, post Finnisten, for students to engage in engineering appreciation activities to fulfil the requirements of the professional accreditation body and the academic learning outcomes pertinent to both knowledge and skills, which often results in students producing small products or components, which require the use of a range of engineering processes. However, students often fail to recognise the relevance of such outcomes, fail to visualise the three dimensional outcome, fail to appreciate the connections between design, detail, manufacture, materials and management, in what is often perceived to be a fragmented engineering workshop activity, limited in scope and lacking in connectivity to the students’ studio projects.
Therefore, a fresh approach was taken with the delivery of engineering design and manufacture appreciation amongst the 1st and 2nd year undergraduates. Combining students from both 1st and 2nd year into mixed level teams that had to collaborate on a much larger design and build activity, utilising the knowledge and processes taught throughout the year as part of the activity. The design and build project centred on the construction of an engineered and designed ‘soap box’ racer that was trialed in a local park at the end of the summer team, such a competitive goal helped to focus and drive the students.
Teams were constructed of an equal number of 1st and 2nd years whilst female team leaders where recruited four per level to lead the eight groups in 2013 with mixed group leaders in 2014. Students worked in their teams over the course of 6 weeks designing and producing ergonomic rigs, before commencing work on the ‘soap box’ racers, which required the students to design and produce a rigid chassis, fully enclosed bodywork and fully functional steering and braking systems.
This paper documents the findings from the project in relation to the success of the project, student collaboration, the knowledge and skills gleaned, and future recommendations and lessons to be learnt. These findings additionally consider the students own evaluations of the project and their individual role within it, through a reflective piece of writing. Additional findings relate to the enhancements of cross level collaboration, which extend beyond the project, including how the first years benefitted from the second year students’ hindsight in preparation for the year ahead.

Original publication in the Proceedings of the 17th International Conference on Engineering and Product Design Education (E&PDE15), Great Expectations: Design Teaching, Research & Enterprise

Research Projects by Luke A Harmer

Description This research project will increase understanding of consumers’ perceptions of dirt,... more Description
This research project will increase understanding of consumers’ perceptions of dirt, damage and maintenance in the context of product life-times and trial strategies for resource efficiency based on design for product longevity. The focus will be on vacuum cleaners, but the findings will be explored in relation to other consumer products that are significantly affected by dirt, ranging from computer keyboards to bicycles.

Objective
The primary objectives of the research are:

I. To investigate consumer perceptions of dirtiness and brokenness using vacuum cleaners as a case study, including how they define quality/durability, cleanliness, efficiency and performance, and to identify the real motivations for replacement and the barriers to good maintenance.
II. To verify the consistency between consumers’ perception and the actual status of discarded vacuum cleaners and to classify perceived dirtiness and brokenness in relation to people’s attitudes to cleanliness and maintenance.
III. To plan and trial design interventions to improve maintainability and longevity of vacuum cleaners, fostering the active engagement of consumers and manufacturers to make more with less for longer.
IV. To make recommendations relating to other products susceptible to dirt, including policy, based on findings from the interventions.

Time-Scale and Cost

From: 2014
To: 2015

Cost: £137,108