Design Thinking Journal 5: Observation
So we've been studying empathy for quite some time now, and it's been great. But today, we moved on to what is perhaps my favorite thing about design - PROBLEM SOLVING!!! *and there was much rejoicing*
We need to truly observe people and try to understand them to help solve their problems. We also talked about the Rapid Assessment Process, something I found fascinating that I'd never heard of before. It's a really great way to solve a problem with outside input.- First, let's say you take have a person with the problem that needs to be solved. You don't truly know and understand their needs perfectly, even after much observing from the outside. So what do you do? You take the person with the problem and make them a researcher on your team. Another person who is truly passionate about the issue acts as the main researcher. Then you take two people who aren't interested in the process because they give an outside perspective. (When you're emotionally close to the issue, you need other perspectives to help you reiterate and see flaws, ) Then you have several meetings and you take the info you've all observed and learned. Over time, all the info you collect helps you gain a deep, rich understanding. It's brilliant brilliant brilliant!
To get started with this idea of observation, today we focused on observing people in the BYUI cafeteria, The Crossroads. I've been there dozens of times, but I learned a lot more about the people and the environment when I really stopped and thought about why things were done the way that they were, and how the students were interacting with and utilizing their environment.
It's a perfect place to study because it has cafe sounds. Kids study with their textbooks and laptops out.
Getting a small snack while working on your laptop seems to be a common theme. While they work there's wrappers everywhere. That's annoying. They finish eating, but there's still stuff everywhere and they're trying to study.
85% of these people are connected to a device --- WHY don't these tables have outlets?
It's hard to fit both a laptop and a notebook on these tables.
There's lots of people, but you're somehow anonymous because everyone's focused on themselves.
The process of buying food is a little awkward the first time. I've almost walked out without paying so many times. There needs to be more of an emphasis on the register.
The chairs near the counter are SOOO high if you're short. Getting down hurts. Why is the counter so high? What's up with that?
There should be napkins on the tables.
Chairs on the tile make an AWFUL sound. But chairs on the rug are hard to scoot in and out. Dilemma.
The containers for carry out are so bulky and awful and flimsy. could they be better. You HAVE to carry them and they take up your hands. Why can't they be more tupperware like?
More hand sanitizing stations would be good.
This is an energizing environment. You see friends, you get food, there's few distractions and the ambiance is great.
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