Cultural Probes + Audience as Co-Designer

Cultural Probes

This reading was written in a journalistic giving into account the process behind the research these designers conducted in getting to know an area of which they had little knowledge about. I really appreciated their unorthodox and informal approach to the subject matter. Essentially, they surveyed an elderly community  from various geographical regions. They enclosed various items used for collecting data from each participant. I think something that was effective was that they gave each participant to record their results in a personalized manner. Also, these instruments for recording information were designed to be easy to use and friendly. For instance, a disposable camera was included. However, it was no generic corporate branded disposable camera rather it was re-designed to fit the other items in the envelope as well as include instructions in regards to what is requested from the use of the camera.

Each probe included a disposable camera,repackaged to separate it from its commercialorigins and to integrate it with the other probematerials.

Overall the problem of collecting all the data was a design problem in itself. I think reduction and simplifying kept the aesthetics open ended especially to interpretation allowing the participant to truly own their own work thus encouraging the users to complete the research although some did not fully completed the requests made.

Audience as Co-Designer

Here a group of designers are set out to design an awareness campaign amongst the citizens of Kenya. It is said that having the audience participate in the design process will help maximizing cultural sensitivity. This makes absolute sense in that the designers may have little or no experiences living in this geographical region and there may be specific nuances that only “locals” would understand. I think what’s important and what is emphasized is research. The example given in the reading about the flies in Naples shows an example of a shortcoming on research where the locals of Naples did not understand the large poster designed by the American students. I do find it odd that the primary methodology of the AIDS awareness would be simply a poster. The overall goal of both the readings is user feedback is just as important as literary research done by the designers. Involvement in feedback is equally as crucial as the viewer dictates what is most effective for themselves.

I also really enjoyed this diagram of modes of communication. I feel like it may not be they end say all of communication design but covers the basic bases of what it means to convey an idea from designer to viewer.