After constructing a better research with our team, this week, we had an opportunity with Micheal Hansen from Earth Sense. Micheal showed us his story at his work. He didn’t just showed us a series of prototype models he created at EarthSense, but he focused on how he came to these conclusions. He told us how first hand research helped him to come to conclusions he never imagined to happen. He went out to the agriculture sights and interviewed users to collect data. And through his first hand experience, he told us how he went from this square block into a more slim down organic shaped vehicle called Terra Sentia. I really like how he told us to first hand experience and think broadly before we start narrowing down to one product.
Similar to Micheal’s story, we had to watch a video about the importance of analogous research. Analogous research is a research method where people use a disruptive and risky eureka moment to get inspired and design a product. Unlike other methods, analogous research does not have any usability test and it only depends on the vague similarity between the two topics. For an example, people who want to work on a beauty product will go experience in a lumber factory. After multiple of these experience, the group will collect the data and come to a conclusion. I feel like our team are in need for an analogous research.
This week, we used the 3d printer for the first time. We used a 3d modeling tool called the Tinkercad to create our group name, Movi. Our name was created after the word, movement. This is why we have a a triangle shaped in a shooting star that signifies movement. When we were creating our logo, we really liked the program, but we all agreed how the program lacked creating organic shapes. Our project, the knee pad, is an organic shape and I think the Tinkercad is a good start, but we need to learn a program that will be able to mold a more organic shape
So far, I thought our group were ready to create prototypes and start hand making our project. However, after this class and video, I think our team still needs to conduct more experiments. To do this, first we met our mentor Jenna on Friday. And hopefully we will get in contact with more people with prosthetic leg through her in the future. Also, I think our group should go ice skating to experience how it feels to fall on slippery ice. I feel like this will give us a eureka moment to extend our thoughts.
Hi Jae,
I really like your focus on the importance of first-hand research and understanding the users before diving into designing and creating a product! I think it is very easy to think of an idea and get so excited by it that the team jumps into designing it without much thought given to the target users at that point. However, we should always have the users on our mind. I do not think it is possible to design a product that will truly help the users without the understanding of what it is that they need. Even when designing and prototyping, it is critical to continue to reach out to the users to gain their inputs and reiterate based on them. Although this may slow the overall process down, I believe that the outcome will be much better. Right now, we may all be excited to see where our ideas will lead to, but let’s make sure to slow down and connect to the target users to really provide what they need. Good luck with your project!