Interaction Design Methodology

From Data Gathering to Evaluation

A Method Sheets Collection

This collection aims at illustrating the design process through ten different method sheets. Each method sheet is divided in two parts: the first parts includes the aims of the method, a description, its pros and cons whereas the second part includes an actual application of the method as an example carried out throughout the Interaction Design Methodology course.

In this collection the design process starts with the gathering of qualitative data to understand the users and the context. This phase is performed through observation supported by two different approaches: the AEIOU framework to help researchers and designers providing them with a method to organize and structure key details and photo study to document situations, places, interaction and habits through different photos in order to provide designers with visual insights.

Then, the second step consists in analyzing the data gathered in the previous phase. This is accomplished in this way. First of all, the KJ technique is used as a method to sort and organize ideas and information relevant to a problem. Then, it is followed by a content analysis of the outcome to find recurring themes and patterns. This analysis phase should highlight the problem that need to be solved or what can be improved in the current situation (e.g. introducing a new system).

Now, it is necessary to generate new ideas and insights to define how to solve the problem or improve the current situation. In order to do that, three methods are proposed. While bodystorming and sketchstorming are proposed to both create something completely new and redesign an existing product, skewing is suited to redesigning an existing product changing one or more properties.

At this point, the weighted matrix method helps to identify and prioritize the most promising ideas by ranking them against certain criterias. Finally, heuristic evaluation has been chosen to evaluate the new prototypes and detect usability problems before actual users are brought in.