a possible application of Faceted Classification

Hi everyone,
 I just recently joined the list and I am relatively new to 
classification and
facted classification, so please bear with me if my questions and points
for discussion seem rather simplistic.

I am researching in the area of design, with special emphasis on user
centered design and Inclusive Design. My focus is on the characteristics
of people, and how designers can use this information in the design 
process.
I am trying to figure out how designers frame user information and what 
might be
some of the best ways to present this information to them for their use 
in design.
Based on this research, we would have an idea of what sorts of tools 
would be
appropriate in the design process, and how to order and structure user 
information.

Now after doing some preliminary work, I've found that many disciplines 
are involved
in this endeavour, with various perspectives on people that can be used 
in design.
Subjects such as psychology, human factors, occupational therapy, 
medicine, marketing,
product design etc are involved. Classifications of disability exist 
such as the WHO's ICF
(http://www3.who.int/icf/icftemplate.cfm) which is very comprehensive - 
and that
probably makes it unsuitable for use in design.

My main problem is how to integrate these different views of people into 
a structure that can be
used by designers. My main goal is to form a large picture of the user, 
but it means somehow
allowing for designers to look at people in diferent ways at different 
times in the design process.
The framework I am building has to allow a a designer to interact with 
user information at the
level of detail that the designer wishes. This means that I must also 
consider product types, user
types, types of environments and types of activities.

I am interested in your views if principles of facted classification 
could be a solution to this problem?
Also, are there one or two major books/articles that are must reads on 
Facted Classification (or
on taxonomic theory)?

Thank you very much for your comments and insights.

Best Regards
Umesh Persad





------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> 
$9.95 domain names from Yahoo!. Register anything.
http://us.click.yahoo.com/J8kdrA/y20IAA/yQLSAA/0bmwlB/TM
--------------------------------------------------------------------~-> 

----------
Thanks for playing. 
Yahoo! Groups Links

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
    http://groups.yahoo.com/group/facetedclassification/

<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
    [email protected]

<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
    http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/