Week 8: Presenting Generative Research
Carnegie Mellon University
Graduate Interaction Design Studio 2
Spring 2018
Moving Forward
This week, our team’s efforts focused on both the synthesis and analysis of our generative research and the production of our presentation. We sifted through our the results and artifacts from our generative research to distill insights that could later influence our design principles. The results from each of the exercises varied significantly, from the more quantitative data extracted from the general survey to the quantitative insights which were informed by the generative workshop activities. We took the results from these exercises and translated the more critical elements onto post-its which allowed us to make connections and draw comparisons across research methodologies. Through affinitiy mapping exercises we were able to distill our generative into eight core research insights.
“Communication and collaboration are essential in the 21st century skills; so much of work in the future will require things to be done across boundaries.”
- Sean Rush, The Economist
Research Insights
Based on all of our research with students, young professionals and managers we were able to outline eight predominant research insights. Which are as follows:
01. Communication strategies and pain points are similar across industries.
02. Consistent preparation and practice is essential for being a confident communicator.
03. Constructive feedback with context and reflection helps to improve communication skills
04. Both written and verbal skills are necessary for effective professional communication.
05. A positive setting can increase confidence and help facilitate difficult conversations.
06. There is a need to develop communication skills to become better presenters, networkers and teammates.
07. Preparation for different audiences and contexts is important.
08. Familiarization with professional situations and scenarios can help students better prepare for entering the workforce.
With these insights in mind, we took a moment to revisit our guiding design principles. Ultimately we concluded that these insights largely work in support of our exploratory research principles with a few expceptions. Insights 05,06 and 07 stood out as ideas that were not surfaced within our exploratory research and as such we have updated our design principles to reflect these changes.
Presentation
In addition to these synthesis exercises, we worked to produce three preliminary design concepts / directions that we presented to the class in addition to our guest critic Arnold Wasserman. These design directions are in very early stages but prompted interesting conversations which will undoubtably shape how we move the project forward.
Concept 01. Personal Coach
The first of the three concepts is derived from our insights around preparation and practice. More specifically looking at how the students articulated a need to become better communicators in a professional setting. In this concept, an eco-system of artifacts, which could be an intelligent assistant or wearable for students and young professional helps them prepare for different professional settings through simulated practice and post-performance analysis. We imagine this to be a more intentional set-up where students actively seek out help from the coach for specific scenarios.
Concept 02. Real-time Learning
The second concept is an assistive learning tool for students and young professionals that help with in-situ learning. This could be software embedded within existing work tools. There is potentially an opportunity to branch out into smaller tools that help one write effectively, or plan for critical discussions or be a tool that connects one with an audience to give you feedback on the mock presentation.
This direction comes from the insights around how students desire to be better presenters, communicators, and team worker, as well as familiarization with workplace situations and scenarios, help them gain confidence in the actual moment.
Concept 03. Group Feedback
The third and final concept explores how intelligent environments could mediate and facilitate better communication within groups. This is based on our insight into how a positive setting could improve confidence and facilitate difficult conversations. However, we are still in the process of determining were real-time or post analysis would be more beneficial.
Feedback + Moving Forward
Although we are still waiting for more formal feedback from our peers and professors, our initial discussions with Arnold proved to be helpful. Particularly surrounding the importance of person to person interactions when dealing with communication skills. Prompting us to question wheater or not our solution helps facilitate these interactions, or perhaps even connect users with a mentor or mentee.
