1. Design-Led Methods (and Methodology) William Gaver Interaction Research Studio Department of Design Goldsmiths, University of London

4. Photostroller Prayer Companion Drift Table Plane Tracker Local Barometer

5. invention refinement assessment contextproposalsprototypesconclusions Trajectory of Research cultural probes design workbooks products commentators

6. invention refinement assessment contextproposalsprototypesconclusions Trajectory of Research cultural probes design workbooks products commentators This is not science Our methods disrupt researcher / researched roles. They balance empirical grounding with uncertainty, ambiguity and openness. This compels mutual and reflexive interpretation. Insight comes come through story-telling, and is highly provisional. Analysis, replicability and generalisability are not the primary values here. These methods may produce unexpected new hypotheses.

7. invention refinement assessment context proposalsprototypesconclusions Trajectory of Research

8. Cultural Probes

9. – collections of evocative tasks designed to elicit inspiring responses.

10. Probes are given to people in their everyday settings.

11. Probes set up open-ended, constrained or absurd tasks

15. The returns create a rich texture – We collect the returns after about a month. – There are usually hundreds of photos, masses of writing, diagrams, dreams, images...

16. Working with returns – Organising, not analysing

17. Working with returns – Organising, not analysing – Textures

18. Working with returns – Organising, not analysing – Textures – Landmarks

19. Working with returns – Organising, not analysing – Textures – Landmarks

20. Working with returns – Organising, not analysing – Textures – Landmarks – Narratives

21. Fragmentary insights Probes afford intimate glimpses & feelings of familiarity and A sense of provisionality and uncertainty simultaneously.

22. Probes as Approach Probes can take many different forms: – Energy Probes

23. Probes as Approach Probes can take many different forms: – Energy Probes

24. Probes as Approach Probes can take many different forms: – Energy Probes – Storybook Probes

25. Probes as Approach Probes can take many different forms: – Energy Probes – Storybook Probes – Workshops

26. invention refinement assessment context proposals prototypesconclusions Trajectory of Research

27. Workbooks are sets of design proposals arranged by theme

28. A workbook page might mix an informant’s comment, found images and a title to suggest a direction for design.

29. A diagram of a design proposal in which a gas meter box conceals a radio with a transition activist broadcast.

30. Proposals can approach serious issues in a playful manner.

31. Some proposals are obliquely indicative...

32. Some proposals are much closer to actual system specifications...

33. Design workbooks can be resources for revealing discussions with people.

34. Products as probes

35. Our field trials teach us as much about people as they do about the designs. Photostroller Prayer Companion Drift Table Plane Tracker Local Barometer

36. We collect various accounts of peoples’ experience with the products we make. ethnographies video documentaries photography What do you think of the snow? commentaries

37. invention refinement assessment contextproposalsprototypesconclusions Trajectory of Research cultural probes design workbooks productscommentatorsethnography FORMATIVE SUMMATIVE

38. invention refinement assessment contextproposalsprototypesconclusions Trajectory of Research cultural probes design workbooks productscommentatorsethnography FORMATIVE STILL FORMATIVE

39. Issues and orientations emerge in using and discussing our devices.

40. The Plane Tracker elicited ambivalence around flying, but also a deep desire to travel.

41. The Energy Babble shed light on people’s orientations, priorities and values around environmental action.

42. Ludic designs may provide a resource for enquiring about possible futures.

43. Remarks

44. invention refinement assessment contextproposalsprototypesconclusions Trajectory of Research cultural probes design workbooks products commentators This is not science Our methods disrupt researcher / researched roles. They balance empirical grounding with uncertainty, ambiguity and openness. This compels mutual and reflexive interpretation. Insight comes come through story-telling, and is highly provisional. Analysis, replicability and generalisability are not the primary values here. These methods may produce unexpected new hypotheses.

45. Overall, we want to disrupt the performativity of methods, and of products.