Notes to seminar 1 - Isabella

I found chapter two to be the most interesting chapter to read since I did not know there where four ways of handling interaction design projects. The four approaches are; user-centered design (UCD), activity-centered design (ACD), systems design and genius design. I think that all of them have advantages but also disadvantages, which I think could however be compensated by mixing them. At the end of the chapter the writer recommends the reader to not simply focus on one of the approaches while designing but to keep a flexible and open mind on switching and mixing approaches as the situation changes. I agree with the author on this point and think it could be useful to move between different approaches while doing our project. But I’m wondering if there are any disadvantages by doing so? Could things go wrong, and if so, why?

Design research was discussed in chapter four and explained as a research with the purpose of raising the products chances of being user friendly and fulfill the users needs. Using screeners, to sort out uninteresting subjects, and moderator scripts, to make sure the right question are asked, is something I think could come in handy while doing our research later on. Except for that, most of the content felt as things you already know about although it’s good to sometimes get a reminder of that it’s ideally to have four pens.

The last chapter presented different ways of structuring the collected data from the design research. There are some very good tips in this chapter on how you can break the collected data into small parts so it becomes easier to analyze and remember it.