STEDEX '10

This section will only be focussing on methodological aspects. Part of the research work was to produce conceptual designs in the form of visualisations to assist researcher and research subjects in exploring possibilities in userproduct-interaction. It is also to explore different ways of using these design visualisations with stakeholders. The presentation format, the concepts selected and the physical settings for the interactions with stakeholders affect the productivity of interviews and discussion sessions. Below are some of the productive approaches identified in the research work influence stakeholders’ engagement:

Presentation formats influence participants’ engagement. The early design presentations were in printed handout form and in 2 dimensional visualisation formats. Having these 2D illustrations for the interviews and workshops had its own disadvantages and limitations. For example, when showing 2D illustrations to the participants, the actual use and practical problems of the designed product could not be tested to evaluate the real practice and actual environment where the product should be operating. In this situation, participants had to imagine how the products might work based on the visualisations shown to them. The alternative approach of changing its presentation format from photo real into 2D illustrations has triggered participants engagement not only to discuss about the physical aspects of the products but also to other non physical aspects such as its practicality and function.

Selecting familiar cultural types (such as kitchen tools) triggers active participation. Having conceptual designs developed from existing familiar cultural products also encouraged active participation in the stakeholder sessions. Using these familiar forms did not just assist in developing future design ideas, it also mobilised the implicit elements of culture through participants’ use of the product as a starting point for speculation about improvements and discussion of related practices and beliefs. This indicates that products that already have strong connections with users will be more productive than novel futuristic products which might cause the discussions to digress into other non related areas.

To connect with the cultural constraints in engaging with participants, some cultural constraints need to be considered. The researcher discovered that each of the interpersonal activities in the research required a different approach. For example, expert interviewees could be contacted formally and directly because they shared the researcher’s professional understanding and recognise the value of the research, whether they were cultural authorities or a policy expert. Thus, an expert interview does not require any special care in preparation or incentive for participation. However, the situation was different when it came to conducting home interviews. There was no formal source that could lead the researcher to suitable people. This required the researcher to have some knowledge of local settings. For example, some participants were found by asking diners at traditional food stalls for recommendations to other potential participants.

Friendly Introduction session is essential to deal with ‘local’ culture. The introductory phase was essential to building rapport and enabling the development of further dialogues. From the experience, researcher recognised that participants’ responses were heavily influenced by their social background and the education system they had experienced. As design formed the central part of the design workshop sessions, participants’ first reactions to communication revealed a rather passive response and less interest in extending their dialogues and developing their ideas about the research subject. To overcome this, the researcher created some activities based on selected shared topics of interest to engage and facilitate their communication with him.