Design Research Plan in 45 min
In-Class Research Method Practice, HCID 531 User Research Studio
Background
In this class research method practice, we worked in groups to outline a high level research plan to address the assigned Design or Research or Business Strategy Question.
Our assigned design question was
Design the interaction model and interface for a gesture based home automation system Client: Belkin
Home Automation Gesture System Research Plan
Scoping Questions
What is the motivation behind gestures based control vs other input methods?
Is there a specific technology you are planning on implementing?
What consumer market are you looking at?
Is there a particular area of the home you are targeting?
What is the timeframe and budget for research?
Research Framework
Generative
Competitive analysis of gestures technology
Field visits to home to observe user’s actions and what would be useful to automate
Observe activities to see what would benefit from gestures
Look for inaccessible dangerous actions that might benefit from this
Diary study to understand daily actions of users
Participatory Design develop new gestures with potential users
Evaluative
Behavioral prototyping setup home to test gestures early on
Formal usability testing with hi-fi prototypes to evaluate speed and enjoyment gestures
Deployment
Remote assessment/log analysis of use overtime with the device
Survey to gauge satisfaction and use patterns
Interviews to explore post employment issues
Research Constraints
- Field studies or diary study based on time constraints
- Privacy and access to participant’s homes
- Cost of field visits and setting up a mock home
- Location and viability of setting a lab as a home
Basic Resources
Access to participants
Gratuities for participants
Items to build a “home setting” within a lab
Audience
Homeowners or renters who can install home based systems
Consumers who are interested in cutting edge technology
Other categories based on Belkin’s target demographic
