So when was the last time you intereviewd another person?

User research is an interesting topic. It can inform, surprise, and reveal much about users as well as ourselves. Like all things in life, it is in the subtle movements you see the unique and the significant.

Talking to the users really means listening. And to listen, it often requires to be silent, absorb and look for the often missed.

Overall, every team did a fantastic job. Some presentations were prepared with more care than others, but all of you did your research.

And now the photos.

 

Now for your first project, Widgets. You are to bring 3 sketches of your widget idea to class for sharing. From the sketches, you will choose one and create a wireframe from it.

Also, there is a reading assignment. Please download and read the Konrad Baumann.pdf.

All this is to be done for Monday's class.  ^_^

I can't update the Project 1 sheet, due to my InDesign being on the other machine. But you can read the project description from it.

See you all Monday! Auf Widersehen!

Oh, my user.

User research for design borrows many tools from anthropology, ethnography, psychology and many other fields of expertise that involves learning about people. For this class we will focus on 3 methods.

1. Fly-on-the-wall
2. Talk/think aloud
3. Directed story telling

During any of these sessions, you should have a note pad to take notes, pens/markers etc. to write/sketch, and when appropriate a voice recorder/camera to take record/photos/video.

From that point, you will need to synthesize the research you gathered. Quick and easy tools for this are stacks of colored post-it notes, preferably the square ones, and permanent Sharpie markers.

With this, you will record one fact/observations on 1 post-it notes and generate a pile of post-it notes per each participants you spoke with. With that you will construct an affinity model/diagram to analyze your findings.

Google Hangout, so much silliness.

Hi from Heidelberg.

Don't get flustered when you cluster.

From there, you can start seeing patterns, discover needs, etc. from your conversations with your participants.

For class on Feb. 18, in addition to the 5 things you learned about your participants, you must come up with a team name, identify 3-5 user needs. From the needs, you will then create 3-5 product ideas. Don't forget photos of your clusters and its categories.

All this comes together in your documentation, a PDF file in the smallest size possible. You know where to upload it.

Like all things you make as designers, craftsmanship counts.

Lastly, I want to thank you all for being patient and understanding during our online session. You guys were great!

I see wireframes