CognitvExplorer
  • Home
  • About
  • Project BASE
  • Imagery
  • Journal
  • Science
  • Contact

APPLICATIONS

How my methods can be applied to add value

Applications for my research methods are wide ranging, including:
  • consumer product innovation using perceptual design principles
  • measures of engagement and design of environments to stimulate behaviours
  • 'neuro-engineering' solutions to improve task performance. 

​Here is a selection of some case studies that have successfully employed my expertise.
Innovative product design

Working with a globally recognised FMCG company I was able to develop methods (using experimental psychology along with traditional consumer research techniques) to iterate and test new designs for packaging that captures attention on-shelf and motivates purchase.

Such an approach draws on the latest methods, supported with cutting-edge academic science and innovative design thinking to inspire new ways to cost-effectively create, prototype and evaluate in realistic market conditions.
Picture
Virtual Reality and Cognitive Neuroscience in Experience Design and Rapid Prototyping

Synthesising methods that tap into consumer cognitive processes around decision-making, attentional engagement and motivated behaviour, with virtual reality technology, can bring huge return on investment in terms of added value in insights generated.  

I have worked with leading market research agencies to implement consumers immersive experiences in live retail settings.  This has had measurable impact in terms of engagement leading directly to purchase behaviour.  Such an approach can yield significant uplift in retail sales (several hundred percent in validated scenarios in key markets globally).  This measurement-based experiential method can also strongly impact consumer behaviour change, as well as being a tool for skills development and enhanced productivity (tapping into the task-focused networks I talk about in my science posts).
Picture
​

Cost effective prototyping of concepts and environments can be achieved much more effectively using Virtual Reality technology combined with a systematic experimental method.  With consumer implicit and behavioural data-capture including wearable neuro-tech there is scope for rapid iterative evaluation of designs that invoke emotional engagement.  This can involve determining preference for competing product designs, or the impact of different environments on consumer mood, trust, decision-making. Furthermore, it can be used for attentional training and skills development towards enhanced performance and wellbeing in individuals aspiring to higher goals.
Cognitive performance under environmental stress (high altitude)

How the brain responds in stressful environments can mean the difference between critical performance on tasks that require sustained attention, or failure and errors that can have serious consequences.  I have specialised in cognitive task performance measures in high altitude contexts for many years, working more recently with a team in Chile on a project investigating ways to mitigate error due to attentional failures in Andean mine workers.   'Neuroengineering' solutions that help the brain retain attentional focus and minimise tendency towards distraction and 'off-task' thought requires robust science drawing on cognitive psychology and neurophysiological measures.  I provided consultancy in the form of underpinning theory and cognitive task measures to this Chilean government funded research project.  This work has contributed to increased understanding of how the brain manages stress-load, including how physiological and cognitive systems integrate to prioritise spend of metabolic resources towards goal-directed behaviour.  Ramifications for an applied psychology of optimal performance are evident from this scientific work conducted in real world setting and 'extreme environments'.
Picture
These examples are just the tip of the iceberg with respect to how an understanding of consumer cognitive processes, coupled with a metrics based approach, can add significant value to product innovation, experience design and stimulation of optimal performance.

Please get in touch to discuss further how such an approach could help enhance your own capabilities.

Dave Gallagher
Tel. 0777 270 6807
Email: CognitvExlorer.co.uk
Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Home
  • About
  • Project BASE
  • Imagery
  • Journal
  • Science
  • Contact