User & Society

This expertise area has developed a lot from the start of the year. In such a study we usually design for a particular target group or the society as a whole. In 'user-centered design' i learned about the different morally and ethically right methods to validate your design and what kind of designs are considered to succeed according to the goals set. Developed an awareness of the social-cultural context of the design and applies at least one theoretical principle regarding societal and economic paradigms, social design, ethics and values in the design process. 

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Methods where users are asked to give their personal opinions to the design team and help them with the process. This is very interesting since this gives the designers a chance to get a first-hand opinion from the target group and improve on the design.  From the interviews conducted, my group used the affinity diagram method to segment the user's opinions which made it easier to validate the design and collect the data. It is crucial to remember every aspect of the user matters since it affects the way they think and this, in turn, affects the way they answer questions, and develop a lifestyle. I know that without the necessary validation done for the design, the design remains incomplete and invalid. Hence it is really necessary to perform user tests and while doing so to be ethical, empathic, respectful, and sensitive. Well-versed in both qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis. Further, to user test anything, we must have concrete knowledge about the target group, needs, wants and frustrations. I have dealt with many vulnerable target groups, translating their needs and wants without disrupting their mindset through empathizing theories. Wholly dwelled into user research during my Final Bachelor Project while designing for and with people with dementia. Below are just a few snippets of evidence working in this expertise.