design-led methods (and methodology) william gaver interaction research studio department of design...
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Design-Led Methods (and Methodology)
William Gaver
Interaction Research StudioDepartment of DesignGoldsmiths, University of London
PhotostrollerPrayer Companion
Drift Table
Plane TrackerLocal Barometer
invention refinement assessmentcontext proposals prototypes conclusions
Trajectory of Research
cultural probes
design workbooks
products
commentators
invention refinement assessmentcontext proposals prototypes conclusions
Trajectory of Research
cultural probes
design workbooks
products
commentators
This is not science
Our methods disrupt researcher / researched roles.
They balance empirical grounding with uncertainty, ambiguity and openness.
This compels mutual and reflexive interpretation.
Insight comes come through story-telling, and is highly provisional.
Analysis, replicability and generalisability are not the primary values here.
These methods may produce unexpected new hypotheses.
invention refinement assessment
context proposals prototypes conclusions
Trajectory of Research
Cultural Probes
Cultural Probes
– collections of evocative tasks designed to elicit inspiring responses.
Probes are given to people in their everyday settings.
Probes set up open-ended, constrained or absurd tasks
Probes set up open-ended, constrained or absurd tasks
Probes set up open-ended, constrained or absurd tasks
Probes set up open-ended, constrained or absurd tasks
The returns create a rich texture
– We collect the returns after about a month.
– There are usually hundreds of photos, masses of writing, diagrams, dreams, images...
Working with returns
– Organising, not analysing
Working with returns
– Organising, not analysing
– Textures
Working with returns
– Organising, not analysing
– Textures
– Landmarks
Working with returns
– Organising, not analysing
– Textures
– Landmarks
Working with returns
– Organising, not analysing
– Textures
– Landmarks
– Narratives
Fragmentary insights
Probes afford intimate glimpses & feelings of familiarity
and
A sense of provisionality and uncertainty
simultaneously.
Probes as Approach
Probes can take many different forms:
– Energy Probes
Probes as Approach
Probes can take many different forms:
– Energy Probes
Probes as Approach
Probes can take many different forms:
– Energy Probes
– Storybook Probes
Probes as Approach
Probes can take many different forms:
– Energy Probes
– Storybook Probes
– Workshops
invention refinement assessmentcontext
proposals prototypes conclusions
Trajectory of Research
Workbooks are sets of design proposals arranged by theme
A workbook page might mix an informant’s comment, found images and a title to suggest a direction for design.
A diagram of a design proposal in which a gas meter box conceals a radio with a transition activist broadcast.
Proposals can approach serious issues in a playful manner.
Some proposals are obliquely indicative...
Some proposals are much closer to actual system specifications...
Design workbooks can be resources for revealing discussions with people.
Products as probes
Our field trials teach us as much about people as they do about the designs.
PhotostrollerPrayer Companion
Drift Table
Plane TrackerLocal Barometer
We collect various accounts of peoples’ experience with the products we make.
ethnographies
video documentaries
photography
What do you think of the snow?
commentaries
invention refinement assessmentcontext proposals prototypes conclusions
Trajectory of Research
cultural probes design workbooks products commentatorsethnography
FORMATIVE SUMMATIVE
invention refinement assessmentcontext proposals prototypes conclusions
Trajectory of Research
cultural probes design workbooks products commentatorsethnography
FORMATIVE STILLFORMATIVE
Issues and orientations emerge in using and discussing our devices.
The Plane Tracker elicited ambivalence around flying, but also a deep desire to travel.
The Energy Babble shed light on people’s orientations, priorities and values around environmental action.
Ludic designs may provide a resource for enquiring about possible futures.
Remarks
invention refinement assessmentcontext proposals prototypes conclusions
Trajectory of Research
cultural probes
design workbooks
products
commentators
This is not science
Our methods disrupt researcher / researched roles.
They balance empirical grounding with uncertainty, ambiguity and openness.
This compels mutual and reflexive interpretation.
Insight comes come through story-telling, and is highly provisional.
Analysis, replicability and generalisability are not the primary values here.
These methods may produce unexpected new hypotheses.
Overall, we want to disrupt the performativity of methods, and of products.
Overall, we want to disrupt the performativity of methods, and of products.