Fifteenth International Conference on Design Principles & Practices

Abstract

This paper showcases a pedagogical design method that furthers the scope of research inside the user-centered design process by integrating context research from the immediate environment to reach broader and deeper insight to inform product design. This approach aims to shift general notions of the role of the environment inside the design process by classifying it into two domains: cultural and situated environment. This direction comprehends the user within, as users actively interact inside the two. The method follows steps to widen the discovery and integration of insights generated from the proposed classification of environment. An inquiry-based method that considers the characteristics of the environment and its impact to the user(s) and to the product they are in contact with. A method that supports the user-centered design process to address relevant insights by analyzing and interpreting the cultural and situated environment where a design is to be used.