Jason Severs (Frog Design) at IIT Design Research Conference 2007
39:04
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1 year ago
ABSTRACT:
Alternatives: Inspiration for the Collaborative Design Team
In The Design of Everyday Things, Donald Norman describes creation as the work of a select group of advertisers, designers, engineers, and manufacturers who are "aggressively unleashing a Pandora's box of products and experiences into the world". Their isolationist approach can leave the needs of many unaddressed. Designers easily fall into the trap of believing that their individual relationships to the world are representative of a larger population of consumers and end-users. So, can we rely on users to help revolutionize a design solution? How do we overcome the "creature of habit" discomfort with the new and open it up to encouraging provocations of what users have become accustomed to? Does research have to be relegated to the beginning of the design process or can it inform throughout?
This lecture will focus on a form of Design Research that propels concepts to the next level: Concept Testing. Concept Testing is a collaborative methodology in which the designer, client, and end-user together explore design ideas not just at the front end of the project, but throughout the entire design process. By facilitating end-user participation around a family of concepts born from earlier qualitative research and design activities, Concept Testing encourages searching for improved alternatives rather than justifying a predetermined conclusion. Designers and clients are pushed beyond their cloistered assumptions of user needs as the users themselves take part in an iterative process that results in designing the world with, not for them.
Looking to the future of Design Research, it's not only important that designers are inspired by the insights and collaborative engagements of relevant user cultures, but also that participants understand their contributions and get inspired and empowered to continually participate. If users understand how our design contributions shape the world, no matter how insignificant they may appear, everyone will see the consequences of thoughtful design on a larger scale.ABSTRACT:
Alternatives: Inspiration for the Collaborative Design Team
In The Design of Everyday Things, Donald Norman describes creation...all »ABSTRACT:
Alternatives: Inspiration for the Collaborative Design Team
In The Design of Everyday Things, Donald Norman describes creation as the work of a select group of advertisers, designers, engineers, and manufacturers who are "aggressively unleashing a Pandora's box of products and experiences into the world". Their isolationist approach can leave the needs of many unaddressed. Designers easily fall into the trap of believing that their individual relationships to the world are representative of a larger population of consumers and end-users. So, can we rely on users to help revolutionize a design solution? How do we overcome the "creature of habit" discomfort with the new and open it up to encouraging provocations of what users have become accustomed to? Does research have to be relegated to the beginning of the design process or can it inform throughout?
This lecture will focus on a form of Design Research that propels concepts to the next level: Concept Testing. Concept Testing is a collaborative methodology in which the designer, client, and end-user together explore design ideas not just at the front end of the project, but throughout the entire design process. By facilitating end-user participation around a family of concepts born from earlier qualitative research and design activities, Concept Testing encourages searching for improved alternatives rather than justifying a predetermined conclusion. Designers and clients are pushed beyond their cloistered assumptions of user needs as the users themselves take part in an iterative process that results in designing the world with, not for them.
Looking to the future of Design Research, it's not only important that designers are inspired by the insights and collaborative engagements of relevant user cultures, but also that participants understand their contributions and get inspired and empowered to continually participate. If users understand how our design contributions shape the world, no matter how insignificant they may appear, everyone will see the consequences of thoughtful design on a larger scale.«
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