interaction design method-contextual inquiry

ASSIGNMENT 3 | Resourcefulness of Everyday Design I 543 Interaction Design Method | Zan Morris, Melissa Tang

CONTENTS

CONTENTS Page

Basic Information 1

Participants’ Mental Models 2

Tools and Terminology 3

Methods 4

Goals 5

Values 6

Design Implication 7 - 8

I 543 Interaction Design Method | The Meanning of Comfort | Interview | Melissa Tang 1

INFORMATIONBasic

Date: Feb 9, 2014

Our interview took place early Sunday afternoon in the participant’s home. Participant #1 (S) - 28, female, and a Sales Consultant - enjoys large-scale DIY projects, many of which are interspersed throughout their home and serve a wide variety of purposes. Her partner, participant #2 (B) - 35, female, Owner of a local hair salon - was also present to help, and was the initial contact.

They began by giving us a quick tour of their home, and showed off several projects they had worked on. Al-though these were initially only different types of repurposed furniture, it became clear that S’s DIY spirit permeat-ed the home and had manifested in many large-scale projects. We investigated tools, values and reasoning behind these projects primarily. We also did not focus on one project alone.

Given these projects, and the ideas and timeframe behind them, we were unable to observe them in the context of building - however, they were very friendly and generous with providing details and stories about each of the projects.

MENTAL MODELS

2I 543 Interaction Design Method | The Meanning of Comfort | Interview | Melissa Tang

S and B have many different reasons and therefore many different ways of understanding the repurposing projects. From utility as seen in a cedar chest enclosing a cat-box(see figure 1) to the aesthetics of a cigarette shelf repurposed to be a bookcase(see figure 2), to the combination in the relaxing patio couch(see figure 3), repurposing or undertaking DIY projects has become a way for them to reimagine their home. Along with this come money-saving and the feeling of accomplish-ment.

For the patio, S undertook construction of a couch built from pallets, as inspired by images seen on Pinterest. Although we could see the materials gathered on the porch, finally getting the pallets after many attempts, cutting them down to size, and finding cushions to fit was only the part of the idea. Now that it’s completed they enjoy many evenings lounging outside, where they are able to entertain guests, play with their dogs, and simply relax. For S and B, these DIY projects are more than that - they’ve become part of the everyday.

Participants’

figure 1

figure 2

figure 3

I 543 Interaction Design Method | Resourcefulness of Everyday Design | Zan Morris, Melissa Tang 3

TOOLS & TERMINOLOGY

“This thing I use for everything. It’s just so easy.” - S (On the Sawzall)

Due to the everyday nature of these projects little in the way of special terminology arose. This only happened when talking about specific tools used for a project. “Sawzall” was used to refer to a large reciprocating power saw, which S cited as one of her main go-to tools for projects. She mentioned specifically that it was used for cutting pallets for the patio couch, as well as cutting out the hole in the Catbox-Cedar Chest. The other term which arose frequently was “Oops” Paint, which meant a paint available when a paint mixing has gone awry and the color didn’t match the customer’s order. These paints are especially low-cost, although limiting in selection.

However, beyond these two, tools used were task or project specific, and picked up to fit the project, not the other way around. Putty was used to fill in holes left in a shelf which had been repurposed from a cigarette stand, needle and thread were used for a cushion in the dining room, which happened to match the “wallpaper” in a nearby cabinet (which was in fact wrapping paper, held on with staples).

Tools they use when they hack funitures.

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METHODS

“It’s always like … ahh I wish we had this thing. And it’s like how can we make that happen without spending a million dollars on things the dogs can mess up or the cats will scratch.” - S

Although we were unable to observe the methods used in construction, we were able to get a good idea about

how these DIY projects are set in motion.

Plans were first, and came with a defining aesthetic vision. The ideas themselves came from a variety of sources

- some digital such as Pinterest or Houzz, and some from the physical medium itself (In particular S spoke about

liking ‘the shape’ of the cigarette holder). Then came a step of gathering supplies, with special focus here on find-

ing used, or budget items. The aforementioned ‘Oops Paint’ and used furniture from a local source were common-

ly used. Finally, the project begins. Ideally for S a project will be a single instance of work, completed quickly. Most

projects take a day, with the patio (one of the longest to date) taking a week.

Part of this process is a quick subjective judgment whether or not the finished form is conforming to the initial

defining vision. Most of the projects passed this test and were successful, though one, trying to build a kitty condo

for rambunctious cats was met with laughter and derision. “I think more than anything it was hideous. It was an

embarrassment…” -S

I 543 Interaction Design Method | Resourcefulness of Everyday Design | Zan Morris, Melissa Tang

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GOALS

“I like to have a goal first. An idea of what I want, and then I’ll go see if it’s available.” - S

Goals for each project were not fixed, but arose in situation depending on the specific project. For instance, the

Cedar chest in the bedroom was focused primarily on utility - allowing the shy cat to stay in the bedroom, while

reducing the smell and allowing the catbox to coexist simultaneously with the bed. However, many of the piec-

es were focused on the aesthetics of the pieces themselves. The Wrapping-paper wall-paper and the matching

cushion were made specifically to fit into the look of the Dining Room (Which was itself completely re-done with

“Oops Paint” and pictures with plastic frames from Goodwill painted Gold and Silver).

The Patio Couch project, one of the longest yet, a combination of these factors, both intended to beautify their

front porch, as well as give them a space to spend their time during nice weather.


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VALUES

“I’m such a perfectionist that I could never take on a project like that, because I don’t feel like trust my knowledge. So it’s taken me years to trust her in doing them, because she’s a totally different per-son. She just gets it done quick and doesn’t care about all the little details, because you can change the details afterwards. So it’s kinda been a good learning experience for me.” - B

Many values emerged throughout, ranging from the simple and material to more emotional. On the surface was a

desire for creating these pieces cheaply. B says that in many cases she’ll find something for $60, but S will in-

stead see a project, and challenge herself to do it in order to save money. The caveat however is that fitting the

projects into their overall aesthetic of the house be important, and therefore the finished work needs to fit a vision

- a clear taste in shape and form, carefully free of clutter.

Of most interest were the personal motivations. S spoke about starting her DIY craft as she grew up in an old

farmhouse. She learned from her parents as they began project after project to fix up the place - her father always

bringing home pieces that might be useful, and her mother a jack of all trades. The design of the interior of the

living room itself had been partially inspired by colorful wedding photos from Mexico, and the room itself takes on

a similar bright and vibrant inviting feeling. The design of the patio couch is delightful and inviting as well, and one

could imagine its comfort on a warm summers night.

Finally, there was a value in simply doing the work itself. Interestingly, this was a point of a bit of contention be-

tween S and B, as B described herself as more particular and perfectionist. S however found enjoyment directly in

doing the work itself and seeing the evolving of the form and shape, seeing if it actually will work out as she plans.

But the two have a great rapport and have clearly learned much from each other.


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DESIGN IMPLICATION

These are the design implications for ‘The Internet of things’ or ‘Creativity Support’ we focused on:

Design objects should be flexible, extensible, and scalable.Used objects have place and purpose. For some this may simply be cost savings - but as we see here, that may

only be the first step in the process. A used piece of furniture may only be the first step in repurposing the object

to see an entire aesthetic come to life. We feel this ties in closely with Ron Wakkary’s heading of ‘Rethink Interac-

tion Design Goals’: “New and different goals include designing digital technologies that can be easily appropriated

for new uses; designing simplicity that encourages flexibility and combinations with other designs; and creating

designs with many undirected affordances that can be exploited in use“. Digital items could have their electronics

be removable or reusable in order to facilitate this.

Not too time consuming & ‘Just Do It’.S’s desire to ‘just get it done’ can almost be seen as the design prototyping and iteration phase, in which a design

object is constructed and analyzed for flaws or potential issues. Here it is only in actively working with the physical

material that S can decide whether or not to continue. This also means that a creative tool which allows the user

to evaluate an idea quickly is most helpful - Therefore we should design for objects which allow ‘pick up and go’.

Devices such as the Arduino might be seen as reflecting this in the electronic space.


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DESIGN IMPLICATION

Fit AestheticsIf it doesn’t fit the look, it doesn’t fit the look. Having the ability to alter a design object entirely to fit one’s aes-

thetics may be incredibly important, and the only way some people may allow these devices into their homes at

all. This does not only mean physical look, but texture, material, and even digital displays as well. And though there

are some products out there that mimic this idea, such as personalized phone cases, they’re only covering the

phone underneath. Wouldn’t it be better to place the ‘phone’ within whatever object the user prefers?

Connected to othersThis goes almost without saying, but any device that doesn’t allow for others - friends, family, old memories, or

making new ones - has no place in the internet of things.
