Methods
User Testing
The aim of such a test is to evaluate some interim or final result with external users in order to gauge acceptance, understanding or user-friendliness and, if necessary, to do a redesign.
Card Sorting
Describes a method of user-centered design. During a workshop, participants try to sort cards with relevant information into categories or groups according to their own mental models. This method helps designers to understand what users expect.
Contextual Inquiry
Contextual inquiry is a qualitative research method to gauge user experience. We observe users in the surroundings they feel at home in (their “natural environment”) while they perform certain tasks or solve problems. This method aims to uncover user’s (not obvious or even conscious) needs by studying and interviewing them in their everyday routine. These real-life observations then inform user-centered solutions and help make meaningful design decisions.
Needs Analysis
Needs analysis in the design process can include various methods, including interviews, surveys, observations and user feedback. By analyzing this information, we can better understand what users want, what challenges they have and how a given design solution might respond to those needs.
Observation
Participant observation is similar to contextual inquiry and is used particularly in the field of qualitative design research. This term describes the concept in which the researcher actively participates in the environment of the person being observed in order to gain deeper insights into their behavior and needs.
Context Analysis
Context analysis offers us comprehensive understanding of a particular situation or problem and the “space” in which it exists. Space we mean in the broadest sense – in which the design context refers to analyzing the surrounding framework for the product, service or user interface. This often encompasses various aspects, including social, cultural, economic and technological factors. The aim is to understand the conditions and circumstances that could and should or shouldn’t influence the design. Context analysis enables designers to better understand how their design decisions work in the real use environment. Context analysis often counts on interviews, observations and research to paint a comprehensive picture of the environment.
In-depth interview
In-depth interviewing is a qualitative research method in which a researcher and a participant together explore individual experiences, opinions and perspectives in a personal interview. In contrast to standardized questions, the focus here is on open exchange. The aim is to develop a comprehensive understanding of the participant’s inner thoughts and views on a particular topic.
Co-Creation-Workshop
In a co-creation workshop, we try to jointly develop topics creatively with various actors. This often involves both designers and non-designers in order to incorporate a wide range of perspectives.
Living Lab
By “living lab” or “real-world laboratory” we mean applied research conducted in a real-world, practical setting, often in close collaboration with relevant interest groups or stakeholders. This reveals complex social and technological challenges in a real-life context, and often hints at solutions.
Stakeholder Analysis
Stakeholder analysis describes a series of methods for identifying, analyzing and visualizing the various actors (stakeholders) involved in a particular project, enterprise or initiative. The aim is to get a picture of all the interest groups and to clarify their interrelations as well as their potential influence. This usually involves creating a graphical representation, often in the form of a map or matrix, on which the various stakeholders are positioned according to their importance, interests and influence.
Wizard-of-Oz-Method
The Wizard-of-Oz method is a research method in which users interact as if they were working with a fully functional technology, while – behind the curtain – Researchers actually pull the strings control the actions and responses. We typically do this for initial feedback and to gain insights into how users interact with new technologies or prototypes.