jak spencer design research portfolio
DESCRIPTION
Design Researcher specialising in understanding behaviour in different cultural contexts and converting insights into design opportunities.TRANSCRIPT
DESIGN RESEARCH
JAK SPENCER
DESIGN RESEARCH
JAK SPENCER
I am a creative and driven cross-cultural design researcher specialising in understanding behaviour and converting insights into design opportunities.
I have a PhD in design research focussing on changing behaviour in emerging and mature markets through design, and international experience of researching for various sectors including white goods, FMCG, government bodies, NGOs, and academia.
From understanding the laundry needs of middle-income families in India, to changing the stigma of young men wanting to look their best in the UK, or creating more efficient lighting solutions for low-income families in Brazil, my work has varied and valuable applications.
This brief portfolio shows a few short examples of my recent work. I’d love to have a chat about any possible collaborations, so please feel free to get in touch.
WHO AM I?
[email protected]+44 (0) 7958594260
@JakSpencerwww.designwithculture.co.uk
DOMESTIC THERMAL COMFORTMethod:Expert interviews were conducted with leading academics, professors and industry experts on the topics of thermoregulation, thermal comfort, heat balance, human behaviour, housing stock, government policy and associated fields.Mind-mapping of key themes with project stakeholders, including project team, clients and experts. Database created of keywords and relevant search themes, identified by experts.
A project to investigate
current evidence on domestic
thermal comfort to inform the design
of more relevant and engaging Home Energy Management
Systems.
Evidence search using academic databases, key literature, trade reports and interview findings.
Outcomes: Thorough literature report of current evidence on domestic thermal comfort.Searchable database of key references grouped by theme with summaries and weblinks where possible.Document outlining the key implications for the design of Home Energy Management Systems (HEMS) – Building
Expert Interviews
Evidence Search
and energy companies) to improve the development of Home Energy Management Systems and inform the direction of further empirical research that is needed to advance knowledge in the domestic thermal comfort field.
on insights from the evidence search.Knowledge transfer workshop with senior management team and design engineers using insight to opportunity tasks with specifically developed provocative engagement cards to create design specification for Home Energy Management Systems.
Application of Research: The client used the report and associated outcomes to inform a design specification of HEMS devices and also sent it to key stakeholders (including government bodies, designers, engineers
“A great job! Very clear, well-structured and fantastic work. Covered a lot of the ground and
with very useful insights”
Matt Lipson - Head of Consumer Insight, Energy Technology Institute
Knowledge Transfer Workshop
I buy that detergent because it is what my Mum always buys, and it is only like 2 Reals ($) different in price.Juliana, Brazilian participant
CROSS-CULTURAL PACKAGINGMethod:In context interviews, video observation and diaries with middle-income households across three regions. Real world research into the behaviours, knowledge, abilities and aspirations of everyday
Research into middle-income consumers in
Brazil, India and the UK to inform
the design of washing detergent
packaging.
users were investigated to understand the different contexts and provide rich insights to the design team.
Outcomes: The findings gave in-depth and detailed understanding of laundry
behaviours of consumers across the three sites. There were an enormous amount of insights drawn out of the data, reported in a trend analysis and user behaviour report and transfer of insights to design team through innovation workshop.
Video Observation DiariesIn-Context Interviews
BEHAVIOUR CHANGE THEORYMethod:Methods included evidence searches, household tours, interviews and observations.
Outcomes: The development of a new model for
Understanding and developing
behaviour change theory to account
for sustaibale behaviour in
different cultural contexts
behaviour theory to incorporate different cultural contexts into design for sustainable behaviour. Theoretical outcomes published in peer reviewed academic journals including the Journal of Cleaner Production & the
Journal of Sustainable Engineering & presented at international conferences. Creation of a toolkit for designers to create products & services that promote more sustainable behaviours in different cultural contexts.
Video ObservationIn-Context Interviews Household Tour Evidence Search
ONLINE DESIGN COLLABORATION
Method:Interviews with key stakeholders and focus groups with end consumer to understand group collaboration in design projects to inform the design of a new collaboration tool in design projects.
Research with designers to understand
collaborative design projects
and aid the design of a new online
collaborative design tool.
Outcomes: Findings report delivered to key stakeholders and funding bodies. Initial research helped to inform funding decision for further empritical research currently under consideration.
Expert Interviews
Evidence SearchFocus Group
MALE SKINCARE & GROOMING Method:Focus groups with end consumers (18-30 Males) about their grooming routine, product and packaging analysis of current solutions and ideas brainstorm for further possible solutions to aid current grooming problems.
Outcomes: Findings converted into insights to inform the creation of a potential new product line and development of product and packaging design for market.
Research into the male grooming
market to inform the design of a
new line of male skincare products
Application of Research:Creation of product range centred around ‘Mancealer’, a new cosmetic product to hide skin imperfections and blemishes. Continued analysis informed web design to increase online sales.
Focus Group
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