Design Research Methods

GAME DESIGN FOR GROWTH D E S I G N R E S E A R C H M E T H O D S

STAKEHOLDER DESIGN IN PRACTICE

Wednesday, July 31, 13

INVIVO COMMUNICATIONS LUNCH AND LEARN 2

Design as user research

•  Provide materials and a design goal

•  Make sure assignment is reasonable within time frame

•  Have users explain their design process to gain understanding about their expectations

Itir and Sonny make a game about financial literacy

STAKEHOLDER DESIGN IN PRACTICE



Design as user research

Rationale: •  Users relax and feel ownership over the environment if they can

make a material contribution •  Users design decisions give insight into emotional experiences of

a product and their expectations •  Reality of making the ‘dream’ product helps users see the

dilemmas designers face, so feedback can be more pragmatic* *sometimes

USER TESTING APPROACHES



Partnered play-testing

•  Have users interview each other regarding an experience both have had using the same product under similar circumstances

•  Users can co-play a game under observation

•  Focus is on user interactions with each other in relation to the product Miguel and Naz play a prototype together




Partnered play-testing

Rationale: •  If users are shy or may not give researchers an honest answer

they often work better if working with a previously known party such as a friend, family member or care-giver

•  Gives researcher more time to circulate and observe. Can listen to tapes or read transcripts later to get quantitative data

•  Can provide insight into how a product will function socially – which aspects inspire connection & conversation & which are better as a solo experience




Paper test before you build!

•  Make & test an MVP in paper •  Include instructions as required.

No ‘help’ from researchers •  Users can make notes on the

prototype of where they were confused or what they would change

•  New paper copy for each user. Collate notes on prototypes for discussion later

Paper prototype of financial literacy game ‘Gimme Some Credit’ ready to play.




Paper test before you build!

Rationale: •  Much cheaper when bad ideas die on paper •  Gives users a version they can scribble on, much like printing

wireframes for clients •  Allows researchers to focus on the experience of using the

product instead of the technical specs •  Client doesn’t get bogged down in issues of look & feel too early

IDEAL WORK PROCESS



o  Understand the problem through conversation o  Brainstorm possible solutions o  Create test products o  Test, refine or discard with user involvement in

each round of design o  Find the right product o  Develop product or hand off design specs to

development team

ACTUAL WORK PROCESS



o  Get RFP or tech spec o  Look for potential problems o  Dialogue with client about ‘design latitude’ o  Negotiate contract o  Watch deadline approach o  Scrap experimentation phase o  Design product to spec

IT’S OFTEN A BIT OF BOTH



ACTUALLY….

BENEFITS OF STAKEHOLDER DESIGN



o  Better sense of what users understand about the issue at hand

o  Able to elicit authentic data o  Sense of shared purpose leads to distribution

of power between designer, client and end-user

o  Able to test and iterate with intended audience.

WHEN SHOULD STAKEHOLDER DESIGN HAPPEN?



o  Tendency to involve stakeholders towards the end of the project

o  Better to ask for feedback early (ie; tackle initial brainstorm phase together)

o  If contribution isn’t sought early in the process players could end up giving feedback on a product that isn’t successful in their eyes

HOW TO GET STAKEHOLDERS INVOLVED?



o  Through partnerships: o  Community organizations o  Families o  Medical clinics o  Drop-in centres o  Schools

WANT TO LEARN MORE?

Questions or comments: [email protected] Twitter: @bloomdigitalmed

Design Research Methods

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