Methodology

This week’s readings seemed to place heavy focus on the actual design process. Dorothy Deasy’s essay “Non-Assumptive Research” describes the entire design process from the beginning, with emphasis on starting with a clean slate, all the way to the end in which an analysis is conducted. She talks about starting a research project free of assumptions. This is much more difficult than it sounds. When we think of what it is we want to research we often associate solutions with those questions. We quickly jump to assumptions about our subject and our subject’s needs and wants. This will only hinder our design process and will stifle any breakthrough ideas. Deasy explains that we need to closely examine our assumptions about our subject and about the research itself. She suggests including other people in the brainstorming process who can help pinpoint assumptions.

Eric Zimmerman’s article “Creating a Culture of Design Research” discusses ways in which designers and researchers can create an environment and lifestyle that will promote inspiration for their projects. He places emphasis on looking to the outside world for ideas and insights, while looking beyond the immediate concerns of the project. By creating a work environment that encourages design research, attending outside events relevant to one’s work, teaching others, and partaking in side projects, a designer has more to draw upon for inspiration which can lead breakthrough ideas.

I was particularly interested in Zimmerman’s statement and follow-up question: “Design shapes our world: Shouldn’t we let the world shape our design? (pg. 192).” This question harpers back to Deasy’s essay in which she talks about the importance of becoming a “learner.” She encourages researchers to seek out as many different avenues as possible that relate to the given topic. These different avenues can include movies, poetry, and the Web. Seeking out various types of sources will allow “the world to shape our design.”

The other articles in this week’s readings focus on more specific aspects of the design process and offer various types of processes and design techniques. Darrel Rhea’s essay “Bringing Clarity to the Fuzzy Front End” discusses the beginning stages of design and the “Innovation Process.” She discusses the importance of the design process, which is often overlooked by senior management who are only interested in the final product. But the process, Rhea explains, can lead to breakthrough ideas. She also describes an “Outside-In” design approach that places emphasis on the user or customer to provide inspiration for innovation.

Experience design and immersion investigation discussed by Nathan Shedoff (“Research Methods for Designing Effective Experiences”) and Sean Donahue (“Enabling Design”) respectively, places focus on experiential, social, and human data, rather than technological. Both Shedoff and Donahue’s methods require direct interaction with the subject to reach a new way of understanding the audience in which they are designing for. Donahue suggests that immersion investigation allows the designer to correct his/her own misconceptions about the subject while also building understanding and empathy for the users.

The methodologies one can use when conducting research seem endless. While no method should be considered wrong, it’s important to find the methodologies that are best suited for your needs and the needs of the people you are designing for. Two things seem clear though: Throw away your assumptions and keep an open mind to the world around you.