- What information can ethnographic tools give you to improve the interactivity of an online banking website? (pp. 48-54)
Ethnography is simple methods of understanding people and problems associated with work. You can use tools such as a ecosystem diagram, journey map to better understand the relationship between beginning to end. An ecosystem diagram tells the relationships between system touchpoints. For example, for an online banking website it may include the marketplace, partners, research company, the feedback from users, etc. This diagram will help the designer predict what the interactivity will be with the product, in this case, the website. For an Journey map, it tells a different story. It illustrates how a customer will engage with the various products and services over time. For a banking website, it may be a journey from how users get from looking at their account information to transferring money from one account to another. The ultimate goal is to understand how ideas connect so designers can make better decisions about the design going forward.
- At what point is a design finished? What makes it a success? What is its purpose? (pp. 54-62)
As designers we strive to improve all aspects of human life. Whether it be visual, emotional, and experimental. Interaction Design should be desirable, beautiful, and appropriate. For myself, what makes a design successful is if it does what it intends to. It could be communicating something, making people touch it, make people feel something. If you have an original goal of what you want this design to and that goal is accomplished, I think that design is considered successful. I think the purpose of it would be for the design to be impactful however big or small the impact may be.
- Identify a product family you use regularly (can be anything from technology to consumables except for coffee). How has its branding effected your use, relationship and experience with the product? (pp. 78-84)
I buy a particular type of shampoo and conditioner. Its from Renpure. I don’t particularly like the packaging or their branding, however I am loyal to that brand because 1. It works, 2. Its Sulfate Free, Paraben Free, Cruelty Free, 3. It’s relatively cheap for the about of product you get. So, I believe that sustainable design is a big factor when it comes to me purchasing products.