Co-design.
Due to the nature of this project engaging in quality co-design activities that are beneficial for both the user and the project group is essential. In order to fully understand the user, their experiences and wishes for the product, it was essential to keep in constant contact throughout the design process. For this reason we met with the specific user on a biweekly basis with differing goals each week and implemented varying strategies. These strategies are outlined below.
Creating a storyboard together that describes a typical situation, as experienced by the person
A storyboard of 2 different problems were made by taking pictures of the co-designer acting out these different scenarios.
Taking notes:
When taking notes, Luke sets up an email to himself where he writes his notes. To navigate through his computer, he uses a screen reader that reads what is currently on the screen. So for example when he navigates through his different tabs he has to use his keyboard to select a tab and hear which one it is. The same principle applies for him when he is looking through all his files. This is a problem since the file system is quite complex and has a lot of different options to read out to him, this makes the usage of this too time consuming and not comfortable.
This is why every day he writes emails to himself of different notes he took to, at the end of the day, let the computer read them out to him. While this is a better system to use, it is still far from ideal and Luke would love a system that is simpler and more ‘visually impaired friendly’ with less options making it easier to use and a lot less time consuming.
Using the washing machine:
Because the washing machines are modernising, many of them started using more and more screens on the washing machines. This made it so that the physical buttons disappeared and turned into touch screen buttons. This results in Luke having much more problems with operating one. He can turn it on, but changing the washing program is too difficult and someone else has to do this for him.
Using the oven:
Using the oven causes the same problems as the washing machine, nowadays a lot of them have touch screen regulation, and this is very difficult to use with the lack of a screen reader.
Working with mock-ups
After coming up with three different concepts, 3 different mock-ups were made representing them. Then a co-design session was set up where the user could test them and give feedback on them. After this the feedback was discussed and implemented to fit the specific user better.
Interviews
A lot of interviews were conducted to get to know the user and his preferences and personality, this was mainly due to the fact that the user is blind. Another form of getting to know the person is not possible since those mainly focus on expressing themselves visually. Therefore, conducting interviews is the most logical way of connecting to the person.
Step 1: Verbal interaction in getting to know each other holistically
In the first meeting the main focus was getting to know the co-designer, his surroundings and activities he likes to do. Furthermore, the main problems he faces in his daily life were discussed to then discuss and come up with solutions to solve these specific problems.
Step 2: Ensuring the user’s problem was properly understood
In the second meeting the expectations of the client were mentioned and a discussion was started to find different problems to be solved. This was mainly done by making storyboards of different problems to understand the nature of them better and so being able to solve them in a better manner.
Step 3:
For the third meeting cardboard mock-ups of the 3 concepts were made. The co-designer then reviewed them based on what he liked about each one and what he did not like. He then chose a preferred concept he would like to see developed further. Along with that he also gave more suggestions on how to further improve them and make it even more to his liking.
Step 4: Consistent communication
For the fourth meeting a large interview was set up including ideation in the form of mind maps and flowcharts for more structured and logical communication. During this meeting the progress on the development of the final concept was discussed. He then gave feedback on positive and negative aspects of the design, so that it could be implemented to improve the product even further. Before this step was taken tight contact over email was kept, this to ensure the user was up to date with all the steps as well as what the planning for the future was.
Step 5: Evaluation from the user’s perspective
In the last meeting final things were tested as well as the testing of a new prototype with final buttons. Again feedback and suggestions were given and implemented. Tests were executed to see if certain colour combinations were visible and distinguishable. As well as if the text is visible or not.
Challenges and reflection
The biggest challenge for the co-designing was the fact that the user has a visual impairment. This made it impossible to show ideas in the form of drawings and so having to find other ways to present ideas to the client. The solution to the problem was making cardboard mock ups. Furthermore, a difficulty was to communicate large amounts of information without using any visuals. This was then solved by constructing logical diagrams to deliver the information in a logical, understandable and gradual way.