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.