Lesson 8 (User Research)

In this lesson, we are introduced to know the user, and ways to know or understand the users better. First, we will have to define the design problem. A design problem can be summarized as follows in the lecture slides. “Have no definitive formulation of the problem”, “Formulations of problem are solution dependent”, “Proposing solution is a means of understanding the problem”, and “There is no definitive solution to the problem”. In short, a good design statement results in a good solution, because solution is part of the problem.

Next, we will have to define the targeted users; by creating user profile – List of user characteristics, and creating personas – Narrative of user characteristics. It will be better or more effective to create a product or design targeted to a specific group of users than to create for general users, as “A compromise design pleases no one”.

Moreover, when designing/creating personas, we must keep in mind the cultural & social factors involved in categorizing the users and developing personas.

After the lesson deliverables, we are required to present our “Need Analysis”, which we have done. “Need Analysis” includes what and why we are creating this product, what are users’ wants, needs and expectations, and what are our brand and business objectives.

For my group, we have decided to focus on an online local food portal. The reason is that there will be people trying to search for cheap & good local delights. This portal enables them to find what others people feel about some food stalls that they had been to, and to give some feedbacks after visiting. This portal is also a user-generated portal. Besides introducing the stalls, there are also specific road directions to get to their desired stalls. We were also thinking of incorporating delivery services for the busy people whom they have the time to go to the stall or to spend time queuing up for food.

The most important feedback we get is that, we will have to brainstorm of how does the revenue of maintaining this portal comes about and how different or unique our portal is from the others, so as to attract consumers. These are the two main immediate factors that we will have to consider and to make the appropriate decisions.