Bespoke Design for Inclusive Music: The Challenges of Evaluation

Abstract

In this paper, the authors describe the evaluation of a collection of bespoke knob cap designs intended to improve the ease in which a specific musician with dyskinetic cerebral palsy can operate rotary controls in a musical context. The authors highlight the importance of the performer’s perspective when using design as a means for overcoming access barriers to music. Also, while the authors were not able to find an ideal solution for the musician within the confines of this study, several useful observations on the process of evaluating bespoke assistive music technology are described; observations which may prove useful to digital musical instrument designers working within the field of inclusive music.