How People Can be Researched to Inform Design (10/11)
Today we covered some fundamental approaches to researching for design, and practiced the How Might We framework to self-select intervention areas and groups.
Communicating Effectively
There are many forms of posters, each with different objectives and approaches. Silvana introduced the purpose and format of academic posters, which serve to outline a research process and available results in an accessible, visual manner.
The format and structure of academic posters differ by field and project goals. Certain conventions exist to help define research across fields, but in design we also enjoy additional creative freedoms.
Most posters include the following elements:
- Title
- Authors/affiliations
- Abstract/tagline
- Introduction
- Methods and materials
- Findings
- Results/discussion
- Contact info/other considerations
…and it’s always good practice to include references and acknowledgements, if applicable.
Research Process
Different forms of research take place at various phases of a design project- today we focused on exploratory research through the application of design ethnography.
Design ethnography is qualitative. It attempts to understand others through the observation and study of users, practices, and artifacts, in the context of people’s existing work or environment. Some examples of observation-based research include participant observation, fly-on-the-wall observation, and behavioral mapping.
Four Questions to Consider
What is — Identifying the problem and key stakeholders
What if — Brainstorming and narrowing down concepts that have potential to meet user needs and create value. If you envision a better future, what would that look like?
What wows — Make prototypes and review data collected
Work works — Engage in the co-creation process with key stakeholders to refine solutions
How Might We
How Might We questions help to explore and identify potential problem spaces. By framing challenges as HMW questions, we open up more design opportunities and innovative solutions. A properly framed How Might We doesn’t imply or propose a particular solution, but provides the structure for innovative thinking. Ideally, a How Might We should be broad enough to encompass a range of potential problem spaces, but narrow enough to provide some starting direction and help generate ideas.
Long story short, How Might We questions aim to frame a challenge without suggesting a particular solution. This way, it remains generative and allows for the exploration of multiple solutions.
Breakout
This week, we narrowed down broad themes to identify redesign opportunities through the generation of How Might We questions. Groups then self-selected teams based on mutual interests to identify the theme and opportunities for design interventions in their selected topic.
