Mismatch: How Inclusion Shapes Design Available at www.draw-down.com Sometimes designed objects reject their users: a computer mouse that doesn't work for left-handed people, or a touchscreen payment system that only works for people who have 20/20 vision. Something as simple as color choices can render a product unusable for millions. In Mismatch, Kat Holmes describes how design can lead to exclusion, and how design can also remedy exclusion. Inclusive design methods—designing objects with rather than for excluded users—can create elegant solutions that work well and benefit all. Holmes tells stories of pioneers of inclusive design, many of whom were drawn to work on inclusion because of their own experiences of exclusion. Designing for inclusion is not a feel-good sideline; inclusion can be a source of innovation and growth, especially for digital technologies. It can be a catalyst for creativity and a boost for the bottom line as a customer base expands. And each time a mismatched interaction is remedied, an opportunity is created for more people to contribute to society in meaningful ways. #mismatch #Inclusion #design #color #exclusion #designmethods #interaction (at San Francisco, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/B0lKOzjny1Z/?igshid=19w274sak926s
“A method to facilitate a design process in which materials are the main drivers.
We ground our discussion on many disparate but interconnetted sources: existing literature and theories on materials experiences (Giaccardi & Karana, 2015; Karana et al., 2014; Karana, Hekkert, & Kandachar, 2008); ingredients of experience design (Desmet, Hekkert, & Schifferstein, 2011); methodology for material- centered interaction design research (Wiberg, 2014); the material learning that was carried out at the Bauhaus (Wick, 2000) and tinkering with materials in art, craft, and design. [..]
Figure illustrates the MDD Method with four main action steps presented in a sequential manner as: (1) Understanding The Material: Technical and Experiential Characterization (tinkering with the material; material benchmarking; user studies), (2) Creating Materials Experience Vision (The Materials Experience Vision expresses how a designer envisions a material’s role in creating/contributing to functional superiority (performance) and a unique user experience when embodied in a product, as well as its purpose in relation to other products, people, and a broader context (i.e., society and planet), (3) Manifesting Materials Experience Patterns (RQ: What are the interrelationships between the created material experience vision and the formal qualities of materials and products?), (4) Designing Material/Product Concepts. […]MDD starts with a material (or a material proposal) and ends with a product and/or further developed material. […] The journey of the designer from tangible to abstract and then from abstract back to tangible.
3 starting scenarios:
[Scenario 1]
Designing with a relatively well-known material,
[Scenario 2]
Designing with a relatively unknown material,
[Scenario 3]
Designing with a material proposal with semi-developed or exploratory samples”
Text from Karana, E., Barati, B., Rognoli, V., & Zeeuw van der Laan, A. (2015). Material driven design (MDD): A method to design for material experiences. International Journal of Design, 9(2), 35-54.
(Valentina notes)
How to apply and adapt MDD method to a specific local context in order to propose a future material culture?
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Desmet, P., Hekkert, P., & Schifferstein, R. (2011). Introduction. In P. Desmet & R. Schifferstein (Eds.), From floating wheelchairs to mobile car parks: A collection of 35 experience-driven design projects (pp. 4-12). Den Haag, the Netherlands: Eleven.
Giaccardi, E., & Karana, E. (2015). Foundations of materials experience: An approach for HCI. In Proceedings of the 33rd SIGCHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (pp. 2447-2456). New York, NY: ACM.
Itten, J. (1975). Design and form: The basic course at the Bauhaus and later. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons.
Hekkert, P., & van Dijk, M. (2011). Vision in design: A guidebook for innovators. Amsterdam, the Netherlands: BIS.
Karana, E., Hekkert, P., & Kandachar, P. (2008). Materials experience: Descriptive categories in material appraisals. In Proceedings of the Conference on Tools and Methods in Competitive Engineering (pp. 399-412). Delft, the Netherlands: Delft University of Technology.
Karana, E., Pedgley, O., & Rognoli, V. (2014). Materials experience: Fundamentals of materials and design. Oxford, UK: Butterworth-Heinemann.
Tung, F. W. (2012). Weaving with rush: Exploring craft-design collaborations in revitalizing a local craft. International Journal of Design, 6(3), 71-84.
Wiberg, M. (2014). Methodology for materiality: Interaction design research through a material lens. Personal and Ubiquitous Computing, 18(3), 625-636.
Wick, R. K. (2000). Teaching at the Bauhaus. Stuttgart, Germany: Hatje Cantz.
For the second prototype, I focused on creating more structure in the workshop by presenting the Agenda and objectives on the board. In addition to that, I made sure to time the activities, explain the Future Cones early on, and direct conversation when it drifts to other topics (there was a big urge to talk about that last Game of Thrones episode).
I also redesigned the board out of real wood and layers of polyurethane for maximum slide. The chips were also designed to be bigger so that there is more surface area to write, and made from acrylic.
The cards were also redesigned to be 6 instead of 8, and were made out of 1/4 inch white acrylic for reusability.
I also designed extra consequence chips I used to give an example of what a consequence could sound like, and how to play the game.
Upon observing the workshop, I noticed how efficient the acrylic material ended up being, as the participants liberally wrote erased and rewrote their consequences while they were vocalizing them to the group and discussing how to word them.
There was again a lot of excitement when landing the chips on the circles. Despite designing this iteration to include 1st tier and 2nd tier consequences (aka direct and indirect) on the design of the board, it seems as though the more signals they were eager to reveal, the more they were focused on generating newer consequences based on the revealed signals.
By the end of the futures wheel, participants asked if they could add in more consequences than could fit on the board, which they could, so perhaps I could increase the number of landing circles on the board so as to encourage generating more consequences.
For this iteration, the participants were instructed to fill in 2 challenge cards instead of 4 like in the previous workshop. These two challenge cards should then be the focus of two futures designed by two pairs using the 6 card deck.
With this change, I noticed that the scenario building activity went from an individual activity to something that generated conversation between two people, and moved along way faster than when each participant had to fill in 8 cards.
Once the pairs finished building their futures, they then presented them to the other pair, named them and placed them within the Future Cones, before moving on to designing an object / space / service for their future.
The two final futures were:
The two final futures were
1. Vetopia
A future where a large % of Saudi citizens become invested in studying animals and becoming veterinarians > The community built was one that had Veterinary schools, advanced clinics, research labs, and embraces animal inclusive spaces.
2. Pet Smart
A future where animal rights push for the teaching of proper pet ownership practices. The pair produced an application that teaches kids and adults how to properly take care of their pets through fun interactive activities. (inspired by Nintendogs apparently)
The first workshop included an anthropologist, a digital marketer, a designer and a chemical engineer, 3 of which are pet owners. Throughout the session, it became clear how the participants’ backgrounds helped shape their ideas and understandings of each of their futures.
The workshop took place on the floor (well, carpet) of my studio apartment. After I greeted the participants and had informal introductions, with Arabic coffee, dates and snacks, I began by describing the objectives and structure of the session.
The prompt for the future wheel in this prototype was “ Its 20__ and 80% of KSA owns some sort of pet”. This prompt I intentionally kept open ended, generating initial discussion about when this future could be, and what kind of pets do these include.
Although the props for the Carrom Consequence Board were not really slippery, and thus not efficient, I noticed an energy and excitement when the participants managed to land their chips on the designated circle.
Upon observation of this phase, I noticed a slight struggle in coming up with consequences and challenges of the prompt. I thus had to give away some initial signals and pose questions in relation. Although I had initially designed the signals to be placed on the board, the type was too small as the participants asked to instead take them and place then more visibly on the board (this then directed me to redesign the signals)
Another observation was that the chips were too small for the participants to write on, and they preferred using pens instead of markers on the Future Scenario Building Deck.
After completing the Carrom Future Wheel phase, each participant was handed a deck of 8 cards, with prompts to fill in which would ideally create a full comprehensive picture of their future worlds.
This is when I introduced to them the concept of the Future Cones, urging them to consider the Possibility, Plausibility, Probablity and Preferability of the changes and factors they are considering for their worlds.
“genetic mutation of animals so that they can communicate with the humans more effectively, and to advance solutions in reproduction”
Another thing I noticed was that, as Arabs, we will obviously have a tendency to write and interpret things in Arabic. This gave me the idea of later designing the deck and prompts to be bilingual.
After each one filled in their individual Future Scenario Building deck, and built their individual worlds, they were encouraged to present them to each other, and discuss the possibilities and impacts of these future worlds.
Although this generated a lot of thought-provoking discussion, bringing up cultural and religious barriers relevant to the mentalities back home, I noticed how many of the future scenarios built were, in fact, quite speculative. Despite being grounded in science, felt a bit too fictional and far from present issues and the focus on urban living I was initially hoping this workshop would take.
After discussions ended, they were encouraged to place their scenarios in a category according to the Future Cones, and all decide on one future to design for.
The future decided on was “Beastialitopia”
The group then used the tools I had provided to create a community that embraced Beastiality. They designed a hidden community in the middle of the desert, in which modular design was embraced as the building blocks for their co-living spaces with their pets.
The community built included a shrine to the animal Gods, a lab that genetically modified interspecies specimens such as mermaids, fertilizing poop stations (which fertilized the park of course), and a justice system that kills off rogue animals and humans that do not adhere to the rules of consensual loving.
I first decided that my first workshop prototype is going to take place in a “Majlis” like feel: late in the evening, I will hold it in my house, on the carpet, with an abundance of arabic coffee, dates and snacks. This will hopefully create a casual enough atmosphere which promotes open discussion without fear of “stupid ideas” or “taboo topics”.
Taking from the workshopping strategies that were researched, I decided to adapt the Futures Wheel and Table phases to social forms that are familiar to the Saudi culture. The Futures Wheel is redesigned to resemble Carrom, while the futures table is now a card “game” in which the four players will use "scenario building” cards to fill in with possible drivers, antagonists...etc, to build entire scenarios off of each other’s cards.
Step 2: PREP
Ideally, I want to design the Majlis with the traditional prints and pillows seen in the picture below. Scouting multiple thrift stores, however, I ran out of luck finding anything similar.
I did, however, find decor items and knickknacks that could be used for the Saudi incense and to store the cards like the one below.
My second best bet was World Cost Market, which sells a lot of oriental looking furniture and decor. As I am most likely designing a board, I wanted to get a floor pillow like the ones below, to prop it on top of. The ones pictured are very reminiscent of home decor used in the Western Regions of KSA (Jeddah, Makkah and Medina being the most prominent cities in that region), where the culture is inspired by the massive influx of merchants and pilgrims.
I also scouted out rugs and pillows to cover the floor and line the walls of my studio, and found these as the closest to those back home, while not seeming too oriental and, well, “appropriated”.
An interesting find were these plastic “picnic” floor covers below, which are in fact Indian, however quite commonly seen in Saudi Arabia in outdoor contexts.
This is most likely due to immigration and merchants.
In order to get a better understanding of what is involved in running a Future’s thinking co-design workshop, I needed to do some reading as well as primary research in the form of interviews and discussions with experienced individuals.
WORKSHOPPING:
(By DesignKit)
Many of these steps would be very useful to adopt and consider for my workshop like clarifying values, keeping it casual, and asking open ended questions.
ACTVOD :
(futures workshop – a generic structure for a one-day futures workshop)
Futures workshops are normally carried out on the course of multiple days, however for the purpose of my prototype, I decided to focus on one-day workshops that normally take 6-8 hours (which is too much for the mental energy and emotional investment of an average Saudi to be quite frank)
With that in mind, these workshops needed to be a social gathering (inspired by a traditional Saudi Majlis) that facilitates casual conversation that is both productive and insight generating, yet does not feel boring and laborious. The workshop will thus use the structure of that described in this reading:
However, these steps, as well as the atmosphere of the workshop, will be adapted to fit into a familiar Saudi context.
Additionally, the workshop methodology presented in this paper does not discuss a step in which participants are given tools to ideate and conceive products/services/policies... etc for the decided futures, something that I find very interesting and engaging in the methods of the Extrapolation Factory & Adventuring Ventures.
IDEO’S DESIGN METHODS CARDS:
Not only did I take inspiration from the way these cards are formatted: very clear and categorized, using the backside to illustrate the steps in photographs... etc. But I also found myself inspired by the methods in the cards themselves, perhaps using them in my own methodology for this project, and workshop prototypes.
For example, using scenario testing, long-range forecasting and character profiles in the steps of my workshop, and using a time-lapse video to document the workshop and later analyze the flow of the room to see pros and cons of my methodology.
IDEO’S DESIGNING FOR PUBLIC SERVICES:
Although these ideas fit more in the context of problem solving for current issues, it will be interesting to see how some of these methodologies fit into a futures thinking context: perhaps adding them as “helper” cards.
EXTRAPOLATION FACTORY:
What I admire about their methodology is how they facilitate creation and conceptualization through giving people basic tools and steps that make such a process less daunting.
Most of their workshops feature a simple straight forward prompt such as the one below. They also encourage sketching and iteration, and I appreciate the use of the pen and paper as the first step. These are approaches I will probably adopt to initiate the final stage of my workshop.
What I also appreciate is their use of materials that already exist as the building blocks for the future products, inviting people’s own imagination of what these objects could represent in a future product. Finally, the way they photograph and/or exhibit these artifacts turns them into works of art that the creators would be proud of.
A project I really admire is Pawn Tomorrow, which enables
“Visitors to the museum [..] to make pawn shop submissions of “items that don’t yet exist” using The Extrapolation Factory’s futures-oriented tools. Submissions were manifested as described, illustrated and prototypes items that were then exhibited in the glass cases of the speculative pawn shop. The installation incorporated prompts for thinking about the future, such as instances of recent and ongoing research, developing technologies and emerging social issues. These prompts, which we refer to as our “instance database” served as starting points to help visitors imagine possible future scenarios, the needs that would arise, and artifacts that would exist because of these needs.”
The way these are displayed on their site (tagging the social media accounts of the creators) and the creation of the Pawn Tomorrow website, is inspiring and creates an interesting incentive to participate in such a project.
For day 2, I decided to reach out to people I know back home, who would be informed about the changes in demographic and mentalities back home.
I thus gathered insights from a) a young journalist working for a Saudi Gov run news agency, and b) an older journalist with established work for international news agencies.
Below are the answers to the questions asked, as well as additional insights acquired through conversation.
One of the interviewees later referred me to a municipal counselor for the region of Jeddah, who I am waiting to interview later this week.
A
What are the ways that grassroots movements form and medias through which like-minded young individuals communicate their thoughts and push for policy changes back in Saudi Arabia?
Grassroots movements met with skepticism, and often opposition. Gov led movements often miss target audience by margin.
A lot on initiatives aren’t well advertised. (Saudi customs launched biking initiative with campaign of man biking from Riyadh to Bahrain,, but no coverage)
Economic initiatives taking off and better advertised: Few Saudi apps & startups.
Reaching the Saudi audience is hard: fine line between advertising well enough and over doing it.
Most communication happens on Twitter: Saudi Arabia is #1 user of it in the world. Average user has 3 twitter accounts.
Is there any urgent need to fix one specific aspect of living back home? What is it, and how can I potentially focus on it for this project? (What are people demanding?)
——————————-
What, in your opinion, is an area of improvement that needs to be addressed in the quality of life of people back home?
From a judicial point of view, its convoluted, king’s desire and shariah law.
This year is the year of entertainment, efforts have been stellar.
Culture: new ministry have a list of 27 initiatives.
How can I encourage them to take initiative, and make them feel like their voices can actually be heard? (questionnaire?)
They talk about but don’t really act on creating change.
They know that any decisions they make wont really make an impact.
The gov didn’t do much to make them feel like they should even be a part of it.
Get an influencer.
The Saudi people are reeling, they are “shook”, torn and unable to come to a consensus about what is happening.
Saudi Seasons: 11 seasons of entertainment happening around KSA in 2019. In Sharqiah (East PRovince) 83 diff events in a 15 day period: overwhelming, some opposed and some embracing the change.
Everything needs to be marketed, its all a commodity.
I have to prove actual engagement in the project.
Talk to people who have experience with conducting workshops: HRDF, Hadaf.
Do you know how the government gages the people’s reaction to civic legislations, prior and post implementation? Have you heard of this “rumor spreading” technique? How does it work? Is it legit? Who is in charge of putting the word out there, and tracking reactions, and what are the ways it could be improved / can I spread rumors to gage people’s reaction as an experiment or would I be in trouble for it?
Calculated leaks, comes from the government, whispered into the right ear at the right time, not necessarily the entire accurate truth.
It happens on a lot of different platforms, depends on who’s leaking it and what its for.
Press release, change one thing ever so slightly to find out where the leaks come from.
Have you heard of Futures Thinking? Do you know whether it is adopted in decision making in Saudi Arabia?
In its current form, it might not be embraced. Saudi culture is cynical and jaded, saudi people don’t want to help themselves.
Psychographic & Demographic insights.
Saudi people are skeptical about everything.
Youth Bulge: 60% under thirty.
15 - 30 primary target audience for anything happening in Saudi
Cinicism : lack of resources and attention: Saudi youth in difficult position because of outside politics and the older generation
Stereotypes: 30% active and involved, the others not so much. Mostly entitled, and expect things to be done for them.
Why not go to the uae, stand back and see the saudi government going through rapid changes (hormonal teenager).
Workshop that helps communication between people of different ideologies > needs to be marketed well. (free food and certificate)
Misk does a lot of youth engagement > find someone from there. (kind of a joke)
I will probably be turned down on a municipal and decision making level.
B
What are the ways that grassroots movements form and medias through which like-minded young individuals communicate their thoughts and push for policy changes back in Saudi Arabia?
Twitter democracy, where people actually give their voice, and are actually being heard.
The average age of government officials in their thirties, and they’re people who want to be in touch with the population.
What, in your opinion, is an area of improvement that needs to be addressed in the quality of life of people back home?
Embracing people who are underprivileged, there is an increase in the divide, what with the increase in the entertainment that seems elitist. It will disenfranchise those people.
They do use social media, due to its accessibility, however not as much as the well educated people.
More of a civil society: one thing that is absent, they need to be engaged and empowered, and they feel ownership.
How can I encourage them to take initiative, and make them feel like their voices can actually be heard?
They would take the opportunity to be involved with government decision making.
Traditional majlis society- it was very collaborative in the past: they would rule by consensus.
Saudis are quite apathetic as people: in terms of activism, they want people to do it for them > they need a shift in mindset and incentive.
Sense of entitlement, and never felt part of this decision making process.
Do you know how the government gages the people’s reaction to civic legislations, prior and post implementation? Have you heard of this “rumor spreading” technique? How does it work? Is it legit? Who is in charge of putting the word out there, and tracking reactions, and what are the ways it could be improved / can I spread rumors to gage people’s reaction as an experiment or would I be in trouble for it?
Haven’t heard of this.
Leakages change some decisions: Example of when people on twitter were outraged at the “leaked” idea that stores were no longer closing during our 5/day prayer times as part of the Jawdat Al Hayah program. This reaction discouraged policy makers from going through with it.
Have you heard of Futures Thinking? Do you know whether it is adopted in decision making in Saudi Arabia?
Problem with that: Tech is changing so rapidly, we don’t know where we’re going to be in the futures. We might actually be dictated to, due to the unforeseeable changes in Ai and disruptive tech.
Current policy makers are attempting to be ahead of the game, and might be willing to adopt these forward thinking techniques.
