APPLIED PROBES. Tuuli Mattelmäki 15/12/2003. Tuuli Mattelmäki/ 15/12/2003

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1 APPLIED Tuuli Mattelmäki 15/12/2003 PROBES

2 APPLIED PROBES

3 Instead of method, probes should be named as an approach Because it draws from a range of research methods, ethnography is more an approach than a defined research method. Liz Sanders 2002 Applied ethnography

4 Probes fundamentals based on self documenting exploratory rather than evaluative design context interest to the users subjective world and point of views open ended to support users and designers interpretation and creativity reference to cultural probes

5 Furthermore, combines a range of research tools most usefull in the early phases of the design process

6 Defining Probes Probes kits: envelopes or packages... containing Probes artefacts: cameras, albums, illustrated cards... The Probes tasks: picture taking, filling in diaries, answering open questions, drawing maps...

7 Defining Probes Inspiration probes Information probes Participatory probes Dialogue probes

8 Inspiration probes Aiming to provide new views to support designers inspiration Probes process is considered as a part of the design process Results are presented through accomplished probes artefacts and concept ideas e.g. Cultural Probes, Domestic Probes

9 Information probes Aiming at finding information about specific user needs ethnography orientation to understand present situation probes artefacts less designed Results emerging topics and design drivers e.g. Residential probes

10 Participatory probes Aiming at inspiring the users to guide to new interaction and design ideas users are provoked to use their imagination, to act and interact with prototypes, fake or functioning e.g. Technology probes, Polar Electro liikuntakaveri (exercise mate)

Dialogue probes Aiming at supporting a dialogue between the designers and the users and adjusting interpretations during the process towards the user

11 Dialogue probes Aiming at supporting a dialogue between the designers and the users and adjusting interpretations during the process towards the user with motivating probes kits towards the designer with probes process probes material, persona profiles, authentic situation descriptions and illustrations

12 Evaluating probes Based on feedback and interviews in several cases: Nurses and transportation Free ride skiers Väinö Well being and weight management Telework Mobile Probes YleX

User s tool Probes approach is different and fun aesthetics of the probes artefacts is motivating possibility of expressing oneself in different ways is creative and

13 User s tool Probes approach is different and fun aesthetics of the probes artefacts is motivating possibility of expressing oneself in different ways is creative and motivating reflecting issues from many point of views is interesting Probes study can be a learning process to seeing familiar issues with new eyes - also after the study

User s tool Probes tasks require reflection which is both laborious and challenging openness can make the participant unsure of what is expected

14 User s tool Probes tasks require reflection which is both laborious and challenging openness can make the participant unsure of what is expected writing unstructured diaries for a long period can be boring ethical problems with photographing generative tools are not found motivating or fun by all

Designer s tool designing probes kits: designers find drawing, choosing and editing visualisations motivating and fun (but aesthetics and illustrations can be a problem if special skills are not

15 Designer s tool designing probes kits: designers find drawing, choosing and editing visualisations motivating and fun (but aesthetics and illustrations can be a problem if special skills are not available) user-designer personal contact or connection - e.g. accomplished probes kits support the interviews ideation and analyses workshops : accomplished probes kits as tools to share interpretations and knowledge in a team

16 Designer s tool sorting the open and subjective data is laborious designers don t want written reports photographs and selected short quotes reveal everyday realism and authentic situations and are easy and fast to scan to support design designers find it important to leave space for subjective interpretation and insights, especially in the early phases of design

17 Company s tool Can reveal a new side to the user understanding. Users are humans with feelings communication of subjective, narrative and visual user data supports user centered design discussion in inhouse marketing e.g. posters Probes study can support getting to the point i.e. finding right questions to ask and people, places and actions to observe not be used as an only tool but supports other approaches

Company s tool expectations failed with hidden agendas: concrete answers to present design problems have not been revealed with probes the customisation of the probes kits and the analyses for each

18 Company s tool expectations failed with hidden agendas: concrete answers to present design problems have not been revealed with probes the customisation of the probes kits and the analyses for each study is labourious and requires a lot of resources but the gathered data can be used for several purposies the probes are a risk: the success of the study depends of the motivated and collaborative users and their interpretations of the tasks

19 concluding For users the motivated reflection should be supported with playfulness and semi stuctured themes For designers designing probes resambles product design rather than planning a research not throughly analysed and visually communicated material leaves space for subjective insights but is not enough for concrete design briefs being involved in the process supports design learning

20 concluding suggested for probing unknown territories/user groups and to support other tools, to find right questions is reflective rather than documents concrete action in context Defining might freeze the innovative developing, applying and using of the tools. Probes allows interpretation, inspiration, creativity in data gathering and ideation.

21 thank you

Introduction to probing

Introduction to probing Tuuli Mattelmäki University of Art and Design Helsinki School of Design tuuli.mattelmaki@taik.fi www.designresearch.uiah.fi Experience economy (Pine & Gilmore 1998): experiences