From "User-centric design" to "user-participatory design"

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In the previous article, we introduced what is participatory design (participatory design,pd), referring to the origins and development of the concept, the status of industry applications, the similarities and differences with UCD, and the appropriate product and project phases. Here's how PD needs to be involved, what kind of users to recruit, what forms to use, and how to implement them.

1. Who needs to be involved?

A PD session must have a moderator, besides, it is recommended to set up 1-2 note-taker and facilitator. If the scene needs camera, then need 1 staff full-time responsibility.

The moderator suggested that the user be the researcher. Using research in the organization of user research expertise, as well as the neutrality of products, can help PD session smoothly and get better results. Product designers, visual designers, and research and development personnel are advised to participate as facilitators, or observers, to assist the facilitator in interpreting product objectives, introducing the materials needed for the design process, and giving answers or help when the user's design is confused.

Finally, and most importantly, PD is not the only user involved. Because the biggest value of PD is the user's design idea and the reason behind it, the research on them is mainly qualitative, so the number of users involved does not need too much. If the cost is allowed, consider organizing multiple matches, similar to focus groups, and suggest 6-10 people per group, with a size that is easy to control and guide.

If from the user operation and product promotion point of view, large-scale user participation sometimes can achieve the effect of twice the effort. Create online environment, the development of easy-to-use design tools, make full use of the forum, microblogging and other media open recruitment, so that users can conveniently design, upload, and share to the interests of like-minded friends. This kind of open user participation, in addition to in the design value, but also can become one kind of product promotion and the promotion way.

2. What kind of user is suitable?

In the choice of users, and other investigative methods of recruitment principles are the same: engaged in the design profession, or participated in the development of similar products, not suitable for ordinary users to participate. So what kind of user is appropriate?

Individuals think it is preferable to choose a group of people who are experienced in the use of similar products, have a strong demand, or are extremely passionate about the product. Experience, needs, and emotions can inspire participation and design inspiration. In addition, always like to try fresh products early adopter are also very suitable, they often open-minded, and more expect from the initial stage of product design can participate in. From the character and ability to see, because the PD emphasis is the user initiative of the highly play, cheerful, like expression, imagination rich, curiosity and creativity strong users, must also be designers and researchers the most welcome candidate.

But in fact, from the author personally involved in the (limited) PD session, introverted, not good at using the design material tools, users can also use paper and pen to paint a unique, inspiring design ideas. A good, attentive PD moderator can do it so that anyone who comes to the site can create and communicate in a more comfortable way. This is the reason that the moderator is suitable to be used by the researcher who often deal with the user.

In conclusion, it is suggested to select users from the perspective of experience and demand; we have a preference for ability and character, but neither of them determines the quality of a PD session. As long as the invitation to the product target users, as long as the user is properly encouraged and guided, no matter what personality, regardless of design ability high or low, can produce interesting ideas, put forward pertinent suggestions. Everyone is a product designer, to paraphrase a proverb.

3. What are the forms of PD and how are they implemented?

User participation in the manner and extent can be based on the actual situation of the company to develop and play, common including (but not limited to): group-type, one-on-one, online open. Group and one-to-one forms, both for new product design and for old product improvements; Online openness is more suitable for expanding and innovating existing products.

(1) The group

Form: The user participates in the PD session as a group, as described above, each group is 6-10 desirable, in a manner similar to the focus group

Implementation steps: Recruit qualified users and invite users to the lab. The moderator introduces the purpose of PD session, explains the basic target that the product should meet, asks the user about the behavior habit, issues the material and guides the user to design. The user writes the main function of the prototype of his own design (divergence to the convergent process) and interprets the design ideas in turn.

Materials and tools: paper, pens, scissors, glue sticks, convenience stickers and other common stationery, as well as Lego, putty and other childhood familiar toys, in addition to the characteristics of the product to choose other suitable materials. In the selection of materials and tools, the basic starting point is to reduce the design threshold, I hope that the user's design process like back to childhood as easy as fun, not imprisoned.

Record way: note, photograph, record, video

User output: Low-fidelity prototype + main function explanation

Research outputs: User behavior habits, requirements, corresponding product function list and design recommendations

Tips:

Can make each user independent design, also can divide into 2-3 people small team, team work to complete a prototype

Easy to create a relaxing atmosphere at the beginning of the small talk, the design process to play a relaxing music

After the opening to the audience stressed that people do not judge the quality of creativity and design, mutual encouragement and affirmation

Designers and developers keep a low profile on the spot to avoid making personal and introductory statements

Early in the design process allows users to communicate, and later encourage users to independently complete their own prototypes

Ask the reason behind the user design, this is the essence of PD session

Many Chinese users are not familiar with Lego, in the domestic Lego may not be very suitable for PD design material

(2) one-to-one

A PD session is attended by only one user, 1-2 designers and researchers to guide and assist. The implementation steps, material tools, recording methods, and outputs are basically the same as the group forms. This form is more suitable for users with a small number of senior user-level projects, each user has sufficient time to create and discuss the exchange with the moderator.

(3) Online open

As mentioned above, in addition to inviting users to the laboratory, but also online open environment to recruit users to participate in the design, through our software or applications to design, upload, share. At present, the most common applications are a variety of software interface, skin visual design, such as Google launched this year, inviting users for chrome design cover photos, Baidu Mobile Input method has also held a skin design competition, these activities is actually a way of PD.

User-Participatory design to enter the domestic time is not long, we may have this idea but still in the wait-and-see stage, or in the previous project unconsciously tried to solicit user design, with the user design, but has not formed a mature methodology. PD's input-output ratio, how to mobilize the user initiative, a part of the design rights to the user at the same time, the control of the general direction of design and project progress, how in various divergent ideas to extract the fundamental needs/expectations, and so more practical strategy, is not out of the theoretical. Only bold attempt, experience and summary in practice, in order to find a suitable product design method.

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From "User-centric design" to "user-participatory design"