Field Trials
This lecture outlines methods for deploying research prototypes in homes in order to observe and understand their impact on everyday routines. This includes the use of interviews, diaries, and observations. It also introduces common pitfalls for deployment including novelty effects, ownership, and changes to home infrastructure.
Students will learn methods for deploying prototypes into homes for critical reflection and strategies to reflect on the deployment methodology itself.
Lecture Materials:
Readings:
- Bardzell, S., Bardzell, J., Forlizzi, J., Zimmerman, J., and Antanitis, J., (2012) Critical Design and Critical Theory: The Challenge of Designing for Provocation, Proceedings of DIS 2012, ACM Press.
- Weiss, R. (1994) Learning From Strangers: The Art and Method of Qualitative Interview Studies, Chapter 4: Interviewing, The Free Press, Pages 61-76 only. Stop at Handling Difficult Questions.
Riddle Questions:
Do the above Readings and then answer these questions.
- What was the goal of deploying the Whispering Wall and Significant Screwdriver? How does this goal compare to the goal of deploying your design?
- You are interviewing me about the design you deployed in my home and ask me the question, "How did you use our design during the week?". I respond by saying, "I would look at it a couple of times a day." How should you rephrase your original question to get more details from me about my actual usage and not generalized usage?
- Is there anything you didn't understand?
Optional Readings:
- Judge, T., Neustaedter, C., and Kurtz, A. (2010) The Family Window: The Design and Evaluation of a Domestic Media Space, Proceedings of CHI 2010, ACM Press.
