More Immersion

Although studio work is an important aspect of the UOCD course, so are lectures. In lectures from Prof. Linder and other staff members, students get to grasp all of the ways in which a project can be tackled. Immersion methods -- ways to engage -- are an example of the broad range of variation as one can rely heavily on the users (Do-Say-Think-Feel) while others rely heavily on the designers (Look-Ask-Try-Why). If the first step of Phase I is to "soak" (like a sponge), the next is to squeeze.

LOOK. ASK. TRY. WHY.

This (somewhat) mnemonic device helps us remember that we are to be a sponge throughout this phase. To "look" means to be present (in context), descriptive, visual, sensitive and patient with our users:
  • Walking Tour -- the user guides designers through their environment, describing their routines and stories.
  • Show & Tell (Sort) -- the designers observe users take objects from their environments and sort them into categories or on a spectrum (must-haves, sentimental value, etc).
  • Draw the Experience -- designers observe users depict their journey behind their tasks or their emotions behind them.
  • Collage the Experience -- users piece together ideas, emotions, thoughts, etc behind their situations.
  • Journal -- users maintain a diary/log of their emotions and thoughts.
  • CoDesign (To come later)
When we -- the student designers -- "ask," we should split as a group's tasks (looking, asking, writing); warm up before diving into story-telling; listen for inconsistencies and patterns; and, above all, follow up with "WHY?" Additionally, one should try asking in various ways (so things don't become too heavy or stiff) and then TRY by stepping into their shoes or learning how to "become" a user. One should capture all thoughts right away. Never sleep on a session.

ORGANIZE. VERBALIZE. VISUALIZE. PRIORITIZE.

It is important to also have designers organize, verbalize, visualize and prioritize their thoughts as a way to better understand the user group as a whole. Ways to organize include Word-Mood Cards (grouping individual observations around the most revealing themes/tensions) and Insight Statements (pulling out phrases from a user that sheds light on a theme or tension). However, arguably the most important method is Frameworks that visualize such themes:
  • Personas -- highlight different kinds of users or experiences
  • Experience Maps -- reflect how people are seen and experiences in relation to each other
  • Experience Journeys -- identifies meaningful parts of a complicated movement

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