Research

Once we understand our challenge, it is time to do everything possible to become experts in that problem space. Our research should enable us to empathize with users and gather unique insights, recognizing patterns that might otherwise go undetected. Coming in as an outsider to research, observe, and glean information at an expert level allows for innovative thinking to take place.

Bringing in Business Thinking: Research allows us to clearly lay out the extent of the opportunity ahead. Tools such as S/W/O/T analysis and Porter's Five Forces gives us the information we need to communicate the depth of need to investors. Data analytics allow us to make use of cutting-edge technology to see patterns and potential market gaps. Personas are the first step in successful U/X design. We take these tools and frame insights about a user group that is much larger than what we might have immediate access to otherwise. We clearly segment and lay out our areas of focus. We can better understand what the world is like, how it must change, and how we can be involved in making that change happen.

The Library Project

In Interdisciplinary/Collaborations course, our given challenge was to develop innovations that can help the public library system adapt and thrive in the future. All of our team, a group of seven students, had of course used a library to different extents in the past. We all felt we had some understanding of it, but it was not until we delved into primary and secondary research that we realized how colored our individual perceptions of the library were by our experiences. Everyone was able to bring different observations to the project because of their past experiences, but it was our research that allowed for us to develop new insights and unique prototyping goals.

Our team made the effort to do hours of ethnography on-site at five different libraries. We did general surveys, as well as interviews with various level stakeholders, such as administration, employees, and patrons. This was in addition to dozens of hours of secondary research, in which we learned about the general trends of library attendance, book check-outs, technology use, and funding. This project took place over five weeks, which allowed our team to do in-depth research unlike many of us had experienced before. Through this process, we not only developed a common understanding of a public library’s function within the community, but a wide range of opportunities that we might never have discovered otherwise.

Personas Based on Research and Interviews