Design Methods Chapter 3

Design Methods Chapter 3

1. There is no "Average User" You have to learn to understand each group of people differently. And how you can avoid just grouping large sections.

   • Part of the difficulty lies in reaching the right people, and not necessarily just the most fiscal.
   • There are a few ways you can achieve better knowledge of a group and what elements should be put forth in a solution
     • Surveys
       • Quick and easily reaches a large crowd. In exchange, you get a biased pool based on what crowds responds, and a very shallow understanding of information. Questions may also be biased in desgn.
     • Interviews
       • More in depth and less biased than surveys. But much more time-consuming. less people, and requires you to have good reputation with interviewees.
         • There are various do's and don'ts of interviewing. Question format and presentation matters a lot, as well as what questions are asked and how they are asked.
     • Observations
       • Even more in-depth and time consuming than interviews. Requires a LOT of time, and the ability to learn to fit in and understand a certain group without biases.
     • Secondary Research
       • Use others' research reports as foundation for your own
     • Contextual Inquires
       • Sort of like an observation and interview mixed together. You go into a community and watch one individual do their thing while focusing on some specific aspect of their work/life. Questions are led by context and thought of in the moment.

2. Problems are mostly a complex web of economic and societal issue. Very rarely with clear, instant solutions.