Fringe by Jake Cohen

FRINGE

INTRODUCTION

30.10.14 05.12.14

OUTLINE length: 4 weeks type: individual A project exploring the notion of designing for extreme users using ethnographic research methods used in the areas of social sciences.

SYNOPSIS In this project we are asked to study a subculture who are largely ignored by mass society. We are to discover the lifestyle and rituals of our chosen fringe group by immersing ourselves through the use of ethnographic research. Through engagement with our chosen group, we are then to design a ‘cultural artefact’ in the form of a product or service. This artefact will respond to the groups’ values and embody aspects of the subculture. Designed to be read alongside: / sketchbook research / ethnography documentation / user journeys

Janet Kelly Robert MCaffrey

01 - 02

INTRODUCTION

03 - 08

DESK RESEARCH

09 - 20

ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH

21 - 22

INTERIM PRESENTATION

23 - 28

CULTURAL PROBES

29 - 37

DESIGN DIRECTION & CONCEPT

38 - 48

FINAL OUTCOME

SELF-REFLECTION

DESIGN ETHNOGRAPHY & FRINGE SUBCULTURES

To start the project we were given a short lecture about ethnography and its importance in design. We were then challenged to come up with as many fringe groups/ subcultures as possible.

We started by placing sticky notes of all the fringe groups we could think of onto a wall as a class. We then went through these, discussing if they were suitable and removing or changing some of them.

We were then asked to choose a couple of subcultures off the wall that we found interesting and to then explore these further. I chose bloggers, scrapbookers and hackers.

Ethnography is the study of culture; it is qualitative, holistic and studies people in their natural environment. It also has roots in anthropology. The aim of this project is to design a product or service for a chosen subculture that really demonstrates an understanding of the fringe group. In order to gain this understanding, we are asked to perform ethnographic research to fully observe and

immerse ourselves in our selected subculture. We started as a year group, writing down as many fringe groups as we could think of using sticky notes and placing them on the wall. We then went through these and discussed them together, removing those which werenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t actually subcultures and changing some to more relevant groups. We then chose a couple we liked to research further into.

CHOSEN SUBCULTURE: SCRAPBOOKERS I chose scrapbookers as I thought the reasoning as to why they partake in this creative hobby would reveal some interesting design opportunities. The type of people who scrapbook, from what I understood so far, I felt, was also an interesting area of study.

INITIAL DESK RESEARCH & CONTACT METHODS

To begin the project, I dived straight into desk research in order to gain a background knowledge of scrapbookers. I also began to think about contact methods in which I could engage with scrappers.

I began to look into what scrapbooking actually is, why people choose to do it and also what it entails, gathering all the secondary research I could find from a range of sources into my sketchbook.

I also looked into the history of scrapbooking, learning that it was predominantly a male craft when it first emerged, going against todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s typical audience of middle-aged females and mothers.

Whilst getting in contact with scrapbookers and planning meet-ups I began to perform desk research in order to gain an insight into what scrapbooking is, who does it, and why people choose to do it. I did this through desk research and through getting in contact with scrapbookers via the internet. There are many scrapbooking forums and Facebook groups which I was able to join, leading

me onto contacts who I could email or phone. As the project progressed, I gained more contacts and more people became interested in helping me with my project. I also began to assemble a scrapbooking questionnaire which I could ask people online and in person and also produced a contact sheet which I could keep and update as the project develops and progresses.

Scrapbooking Questionnaire I developed a questionnaire for scrapbookers which could be handed out online and in person.

Initial Engagement I performed desk research to engage in contact with scrapbookers: joining scrapbook Facebook groups, producing contact cards, designing posters and sending out emails.

DESK RESEARCH: QUESTIONNAIRE HANDOUT

As part of my desk research which could lead on into potential interviews, I decided to distribute my questionnaire to scrapbookers online, over forums, via emails and also through scrapbooking Facebook groups.

I sent out emails and forum posts to scrapbookers asking if they would fill out the questionnaire. I managed to get in contact with a range of scrapbookers from everyday scrapbookers to professional designers who scrapbook. I received over 20 completed questionnaires from scrapbookers across the globe.

After every questionnaire response I received I went through the answers to highlight interesting findings and patterns. This gave me personal insights for each respondent on their visions of scrapbooking.

I decided to distribute my questionnaire via the internet in order to get a more personal response to some of my questions from scrapbookers across the globe. The questionnaire made use of open-ended questions to allow the participant to write as much as they wanted to. This resulted in some longer answers than others. In addition, the questions were strongly thought about so that

the answers would be tailored towards what I really wanted to learn about scrapbookers. When receiving responses, I then studied their answers to find interesting themes or anomalies, which already began leading me to think about some design opportunities. One of the most interesting findings was that scrapbooking was personal to each person; no two answers to any questions were the same.

DESK RESEARCH: SCRAPBOOKING ONLINE SURVEY

After giving out a few questionnaires to scrapbookers, I decided that I wanted to create an online survey as it would be easier to distribute and quicker to fill-in and send back.

The aim of the online survey was to create new questions based on the findings from the questionnaire. I also designed it to be quicker and easier to fill-in than the questionnaire. I distributed the survey to as many scrapbookers as I could via the scrapbooking forums and Facebook groups I had joined. The post of this survey in these places triggered a great interest and people were more

than willing to help out and some participants even asked if I had more questions to ask. The survey received over 100 responses from across the world, which was especially useful as scrapbooking is bigger in some places in the world than others. Whilst some of the answers from respondents were similar, others were really personal and offered scope for more research.

I decided to make the survey shorter than the questionnaire so it would be quick to complete. I chose 10 questions which proved to gain the most interesting responses based from the questionnaire. I sent out the link to the survey on forums and Facebook groups for scrapbooking.

The survey received an overwhelming response of over 100 participants.

AFFINITISING QUESTIONNAIRE & SURVEY DATA

With all the data collected from the questionnaire and online survey, I then began to affinitise the data in order to find patterns, themes and anomalies which could tie-in with my upcoming interviews with scrapbookers.

classes. -taught and took 7 participants self ed crops to learn. k classes/attend e, magazines and es used YouTub 28 participants too selv taught them wha self ? live who ple you instead of being y peo Man are being kept digitally : where do Photos you declining. is ut some, for ng, abo scrapbooki bit e Memories learn. which might t to Q1) A little d a Cre ant Q9) How would followed nde to the expensive costs dueativ . you encourageabo particip to scrap ebeatte the interne need less ienc topeople will keep for themselves more ut the changed also is of people etc? Recession to US aud scrapbo recreation The hope for thisdeclined thecausing to Even those question was to ound info who printed. community their amount backgr aren’t a scrapbook ntreceive etc. ’t ask forok? theethey submitted answers scrapbooking has if direction som domina toinsee said which didn wasme nt market person significaThe ting in nokers? might question Ainvolved. this e.point • ed One get for of scrapbo stio at ther anticipation que the • e.g. from The life.a theme, to an an aim , males, or in give an es. teenage was ch beg ons rs etc. r respoking The ty and hard pat outcome history Par r adirection. . whether Society. This question scrapbo antlocation, new andofthei in aafte local nsHistory sulton moved is interesting. When scrapbooking was hasscra pbook Con or questio based tedit to to other their first being would star r link ht scrapbooke they fellow introduc a The but mig majority one ed no said ch as that a of e. thing, answers ple described whi the majority of scrapbookers were male. person for thisns. • gavOne question were based on the cost – making r first nam A few peo e thei • Thomas Jefferso of adoptio ple things eache scrapbook aus n was among that goes into becyes, cheaper thought and This, r son. effort first noteitbeing time, started. said most the the famous a product names, but 4 peo of thei understand declined. America hasxpe or th service a, 3 wer scrapbo itself, 53 people One• person okers. Nowadays, the market will be a difficult route cted dea • from Ausntrali for the une r Howeve scrapbookers isthe forstar 4 were theted project. aftethe but the number of to pursue USA; nantly l. are ng hasn’t it does suggest exc female, rest page. scrapbooki art of r, especial ope said thatdeclined, e from predomi the market of products for ly those 17 people wer • person who of Eur One also ants mothers their • the ticip . What through flick par has scrapbo anyone from caused had the okers this was is toohas. change? they1 have that expensive, and might provoke ideas 85 of said Hownever person is it possible to get and One e • • UK e bee ng shops the others scrapbooki to nscrapbook? to how things fromamount wer lts might hav ok could me A large make? Why? made cheaper you of participa these resu ? etc. s do from Canada, 4scrapbook. they didn’t ebo it hasn’t declined. t types of scrapbo ups for this question. at typ no, apbook haveokany said groideas scrpeople tion. Reasons fornts saidon • e of22 many differen Fac thei•r loca11 – social aspect. the and the forthe Q4) Wh participa scrapbook berswould they nts mem said they risen. underst admitted it has actually UK. 3 didn• ’t give One person an show their declined, e really personal was and ittohasn’t eric n no, own wer said US work 13 Am stio • to of the get that que others in unt inspired oks about by this more think amo of pbo you hob er personand • scra a scrapbook, 11 begin scrappin included: people tal it’s creating ist’they inpar The aim declined said that, has digi ng cial g. ticipated described or would scrapbooki yes, ‘spe al er like One saying to for see caused by• a larg any ition larg cheaper reasons e h People’s trad products wer •e. If there• /shippin a muc nts ferred the art of scrapbooki pre • ing 9isparticipa ple ook mak 22 ng;or g. peo people apb r ple said ers, Scr said they , ethe they peo would oth declined would has Wh said photos. like for just emphasise the memory the morescra accessib ofe.technology that – that mak le products pbooks the /stores. would world. them. aspect ers•movement the thesemajority re intodescribed ing Cultural: one convince ng challenges them artistically.keeping whe scrapbooki saidtothat scrapbooking person that else ally mak suggest and not something othscrapbooki person actu edthe One they would like expensive; • 37 to 70. juste too ng Canada than pleiswer from see more culturally based , ging tingbefore they , ran •their age friend , quil their 7said forting products. For example participa g. Whether peo for nts scrapbook a okin e craf said created they er they pbo gav wouldn’ , UK and pap person ple t scra even USA One g recession. • try. – the In peo to the UK they sell ‘Happy Holidays’ due udin has declined Only 6 biesto,, incl • hob • er artis with USA motifs. tic theme ber also stickers, whensaying army people based it into e num beginnin creating were oth evolved, g larg Afghanistan scrapbo to get selves.• A an offTo it hasn’t ‘Merry no, say oking, shipped Christma ideas included them for people it should s’. mainly kniting. The• reason : videos t and Many people had how that and che cro hims.to know • to’s; andedled A few suggestions for oks got blog ing, athis form he of the new. blogging mak best gift was . evolved into something to inspire; e own said oking magazin but solider The, card Somselling declined, it as a hobby for spare time; pbo scrapbo e. ever it hasn’t es. fact the around 12 scra d to writ drawing, painting e 12× n like • mad eve linking A e large it into amount ants declined, that had som him. of particula stores for respons ticip cared and r scrapbook person’s who es par , of suggest 32• had people the number he read ed bringingt back g. interests; invite them to crops; tell for • locale.scrapbo i albums. The reason pag 4WDin tong ed minsaying said they love to ferrpeople diving theel.day-to-day stores. produc one escapedfrom to independen digital scuba as an rather ants pre t scrapbooking ok scrapbo trav scrapbooki fromabout t a lot oking totradition and described of local person losscos gingthem Oneran the oks 41 particip topbo • were art, 12× al; emphasise that Many likethan • but• not the ed. scra 12due retirway eright there wer One Many like sports, is noants thatperson ok. wrong said or pbo they said would ticip had to scra son like those par bustle. to y see and who 12 recession. also per the a of hustle think scrapbo they can’t do it. son because One oktoT.V. a 12× perhaps100 a channel. tyle•, manReasons as to breweries. One per stores, • pages for dev +brought • photos in a drawer, cerise r mother’sothers In terms •of lifesOne their based why theyseeing spa oveperson wereelop up scrapbooki wouldn’ the s and the giving ughon • remember they t convince ple hitOne of ng saiderie enowas recognit person win that ion of same stating to scrapbook: the idea tingthat for people12× sex marriage, in that Som Reasons ut as idea d visi • e peo • layo 12who it’s “girls hadafriends only”; awful tor see. One person like was conside ed most this ts. that males married, crib stating y and butfluctuates. desthey yellowing, which couldn’t find stickers with two men anddisa a trend notestr bility righ curled worth son the time or effort;•the One peron at scrapbooking asgot looking ed initanc against g. interest responses that okin getting e tried married. pbo wer people scra have ants strong activism tal and ticip failed; a few participants suggested few par g, a there theme. • ‘dabbling’ into digi One person es as is no selv said point not?have an interest ide scrapbookin that they whydon’t in trying would If not, why? if they like to see a product If so, Alongs any crops? cribed them r. • which copies and Q6) Do you attendthe in the pbooks a yea One person desproduces paper scra idea that • appears to be a first place; a lot there family of people sts. However, canTwitter gy. seem popular among e 2 that xing to no longer don’t scrapbooki get it; one be purchas many othergsocial is relanetwork, genealo or any person they mak ed. said they had tried but Q8) If you Instagram, Crops Facebook, have person • said everyone thought that scrapbookin A One at few suggest aimed fact was ions it • question was for the This a ‘stupid’; ng. greater ing? a few responses linked to scrapbooki scrapbook setting is on ing’? of digital personal‘scr the sharing broughtot up a formemphas ook to extent, aspect. E.g. this an very intimate and, def ants thought apb them, g. that ticip describe you okin par would ine people pbo exporting Facebook memory posts/ph believe A few ng might entail, scra they ally scrapbooki on can’t that • dosaspect son ittake – they social photos has the per are ng’ , eemerged. otos not enjoyed creative into son scrapbooki people you an leav ‘digital book of whether enough. per to out do idea easily. h the , finding eac of technology the Q2) How • With 12×12 day and age . evolution printers/printers understand thiseven some ycan tosomething them edothers. with that share white. didn’t n gain a new, to any is too eas they stion appealfor g. larger was itwas and print quetostio thinor whether cheaper edyour lot it athat thislike it’s crib so tangible, , not Q10) des • Although If son there them Creating The aim of thisorque the son is per one use of change to per own paper e /service ally /introdu One that’s ction person inexpen we a. to a Som arerask product sive.networks, not actu • malies. social other es from and related to e ano Facebook of and ewhere With the eintroduction som and som scrapbower market. ndation of Neb storage. ternswould Fou Scrapbooking vari what e pat you likecrops. A WishOn it topbo on a har•d drivEasy e oking, be?oking. attending we post photos, Makeextent? they enjoy Facebook, – ther people a digital • es 70 tothe drsfor for scra scrapbooke oke onfind scrapbooks and • sly all pbo aim ofsaid reasto subcontiou Easy ’s was this per their captions and scra question affordab ed write son interesting respons The a particular le home but cannot binding cherish the to crops/services about sfriends options. goproducts One person like to al to said ther would thatfor and they might be missing in the• bro vidu r and people 14 family indi • out thei with mind very our that on e market • what’s ed All share for wer paper scrapbookers. What might need changin crib to be double sided. answers let. outremovin g, One per• son desIt’s assembled g? What trends are • and we, or our friends and family, can . in a timeline Long-las to her face special moments. oking as a creative reason. of like going to crops. it brought a smileting adhesives. – is this not a digital not pbo doscra theyof that saididea ed the 7 people pbooking as a form back at any stage of the period we’ve been on Facebook look 26 peo•ple describ for? ‘pin’ items of wer. i.e. scra • ansattending crops submitted the following reasons: the ted like youmliterally rela king the didn’t who where ma People apy Pinterest, as • such you ther e networks scrapbook? Other being made who are their and wer of 7 people gav all carry and oks ook pack to • pbo apb the wanting notescrapbooks? not these scr for scra Are expensive; who fact that it’s too with a global toaudience. y do youand special moments an extension between inspiration Q5) Wh ame others bec to see patterns as therapy. fact of competition the was liking n to not nts ellishme this.pbooks for stio onscra equipment; and emb ing . thoughts que rs materials that mak scrapbooke this them out ed find of are ive aims crib aim question also they rece des The This that better some people work that One person scrapbooke the’sfact ; by es. Many people pbookers believe are the ;one back-biting • ping the rs/ e they ory kee – mem them for themselv ily becaus many cases, scra s In ing fam orie they r , and for. when mak time thei their mem lets and of usly to out calming, a as y it love ted described person ; one creativit subconscio your were rela themselves for agreed. s of are so es completely wer they do participants ans piec 19 ers • fact of the y in Oth orit ting when apeutic. The vast majscrapbook it’s ther alone. ing memories; put • believe to an extent. also unique answers. agreed 26 people • as they ories alive, preserv some reason, gave scrapbook bringing People who wanted to attend a crop, but couldn’t for k the patterns, and • mem this question. to seedisagreed. as crops in their 52 people • n was are local weany ether etc. responses: the afact ted responses for wasn’t of who this questio there that pse tion rela glim axa memories tog /rel the followingscra their Facebook as their digital scrapbook; one as apy described oks person one ther Yes: pbo • e a lot of ed didn’t drive so it crib wer person one re des attend; to The busy son too Facebook. were on per crops people some monthly them area; One es. selv • person said they partake in virtualpbo for l as the good. a asof scrait canoks idea get to a crop. be a digital scrapbook, e theirsaid thenot mak bad events as wel people individuals. was difficult tothey a few es with but extent: they an said Tople • 31 peo scrap the ortant, fun, themselv forno. attending: reasons saidenjoyed moreforimp oks following ple the not pbo gave yes”; one person if • crops many, peo scra For nt, r of me, who “for orta People thei said ple • e person imp one A cou medium; creative they mad ing is as new techniques; being inspired by others; • nall said . jour ple time r the peo a e 9 like is late a learning • describ , new friends, n atone person said only Instagram way; thatdre you theirit chil One personfriendships said only ifont o use after at • ories happens es. uninterrupted time to scrap; motto the for their children. mem“what selvfor passing them ing Facebook. tos chance justoks thethem it’s saidpbo their scra scrapbook, andeothers a way of preserv as a form of digital than the pho g asthere”. pbooking ng pbookinstay ple said they madif anything, to change. i.e. scrascrapbooki s. caused 24 peo overnights has describedngscra • said, ted ansitwer person ember. rela No: one rem • apy One personscrapbooki them ther s e • ? gav help said that ple to classes 13 peo ing that the Go they don’t do digital; one person said stat lf? person • one ry, Life; rse Project inju e.g. you d n of stress rs; lear a hea formscrapbooke aother you years? Why? as recent Did in es, ? declined . has ing selv ing to apy media scrapbook ook social that on ted them ther feel work you apb their Do start scr offpbo Q7)you show ant star many other places. In oked for they just like tothey scra the particip a in the UK andugh said they and why massively Q3) How did erst declined networks as inspiration and they trial and has person craft social und as a to these . ing Oneone described Scrapbook tive thro was said n n person crea • g lear that stio bein life que they r Did mums and females in general. tal? many their love of among The aim of this pbook about thei still or acciden to be e, popular f, and it remains USAWa pos relieway connect. to for s is on pur e working on a scra smartphone, the wer and g. Facebook as okin they such pbo technology said of scra with However,ses One person ? the movement • error or pay for clas es. -taught themselv self ants ticip 33 par • tion? interes t’s your occupa

ts?

• • •

After affinitising the data, I produced a survey response analysis to highlight the key findings and themes.

Project Updates In order to keep a close link between myself and the participants, I kept them up-to-date with my project through my website. This allowed them to comment and suggest things based on my research findings.

Project updates for participants www.au.haneuri.net

MEETING UP WITH SCRAPBOOKERS & OBSERVING THEM With a background knowledge of scrapbooking and scrapbookers gathered through desk research, I began ethnographic research. I contacted scrapbookers who would be willing to meet up and allow me to interview and observe them.

Information & Consent

ol of ying at The Glasgow Scho uct Design student stud I am a second year Prod of this project is to scrapbookers. The aim of e ultur subc the rates Art exploring ulture that really demonst ce for our chosen subc with design a product or servi we need to spend time fringe group. To do this, g part. I need the understanding of the observing, or even takin ing, view inter her values, our chosen group, whet draw inspiration from lf in the subculture and uct or to fully immerse myse development of a prod will give insights to the h whic ls, ritua and artefacts service.

g ct research, I will be askin e your help! For the proje they I would really appreciat time in order to see how ing people for a short follow as well as me build questions experiences will help ent, in hope that your react in their environm yourself.

esting for people like something new and inter

ymous, I will be keeping may want to remain anon change Since I understand you e, and, if requested, will secure and in conﬁdenc hear only and see I ing anyth cy. This information will priva your ct prote ct to help your identity in our proje ct.

proje be used for our academic e let me know if you feel ely voluntary, so pleas Of course, this is entir any time.

want to participate at uncomfortable or do not touch with are welcome to get in about the project you If you have any queries email address:

nger, at the following Lora Brian r, leade e our programm b.loranger@gsa.ac.uk

like to my work, I would still ymise your identity for Even if you chose to anon recordings I take in your video or audio os, phot any be your permission to use . Again, everything I will tion and academic work presence for my presenta re.

secu kept be will collecting Please tick the following

boxes that apply to you:

tity.

Feel free to use my iden

tity.

Please change my iden

Go ahead and use (e.g. work. Please don’t use (e.g. work.

photos, audio, video etc)

for your presentations

Additional privacy:

e) (please tick if applicabl os of my scrapbook with

Please do not take phot the photos.

and

lf in

people other than myse

Personal requests:

…………….. ………………………… ………………………… ….. ………………………… ………………………… ………………………… …… …… …… …… …………….. ……………… ………………………… ………………………… …… ….. …… …… …… …… …… …… ………………………… ………………………… …………………………

at: I can also be reached sa.ac.uk

E j.cohen1@student.g M +44 7957 085906

W www.au.haneuri.net

photos, audio, video etc)

Signature of participan

Date:

Signature of researche

Information & Consent Form I constructed an information and consent sheet to ensure the privacy of any participants I met.

Planned Interviews I organised to meet up with the participants at a time that suits them, and so meetings were spread throughout the project. To keep organised I kept a page of planned meet ups in my sketchbook.

ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH: SCRAPBOOKING WORKSHOP A few days into the project, I attended a scrapbooking workshop, which aimed to give the basics to nonscrapbookers who have an interest in the craft. This was a useful introduction for my research into scrapbooking.

The workshop lasted 1-hour and guided us through from start to finish. Many tips and techniques were given in order to inspire those who attended to begin scrapbooking.

We each produced a sample scrapbook page using magazines, papers, embellishments and stamps.

I decided to attend a scrapbooking workshop on the basics in order to gain an insight of how the process of scrapbooking goes and the type of people who want to scrapbook. The tutor taught scrapbooking as a 4-step process: background, photos, embellishments, and then text. She also gave many rules of design, such as placing embellishments in a triangle and having an odd amount of

images on a page. This was something I didn’t originally think scrapbookers would consider. The aim of the workshop was to provide basic knowledge to beginners in a relaxed atmosphere, which it did. The outcome was a completed “example” scrapbook page using magazine cut-outs, which instead you would use your own photographs if you decided to pursue scrapbooker further.

The use of “rules” when it comes to scrapbooking.

Hot Report

This idea of “fashion” and trendsetting when it comes to scrapbooking. Leading scrapbook designers set the benchmark for the latest fashion.

Project: FRINGE Participants: tutor, guest and myself Fieldworker: {JAKE COHEN} Location: Paperchase Buchanan Street (scrapbooking workshop) Interview/Observation Date: 02/11/14 Interview/Observation time: 11:00 – 12:00

The fact that scrapbookers appear to love the materials they use. They are obsessed with shopping for materials. How do they smell? Feel? Look? How the table influences the scrapbooker.

Project Aims: Understand the sub-culture that is scrapbooking, and immerse one’s self to truly understand the reasoning why people do what they do, who they do it for, where, when? Etc. in order to create a theme, which can be taken forward into product/service ideas. Session Objectives: Undertake the Scrapbooking workshop in order to really immerse myself in the sub-culture. Hand out questionnaire, ask questions and get potential contacts. Try to get a feel for what scrapbooking is, how it might be different if you were to do it alone at home. Bios Cat: A 20-odd year old designer who studied jewellery at university. She works for Paperchase and also holds workshops once a month. She makes scrapbooks for her family and for inspiration for her design work. Lady: A 40-odd year old lady with a passion for scrapbooking. She scrapbooks as her family is very spread out and she feels that it’s a great was to have a documented memory – something she describes as a “family in a book”. Setting The workshop took place in the mezzanine of Paperchase at Buchanan Street. This was a separate area from the shop, and I felt it was comfortable to work in, as it didn’t feel like people were watching us. The space was quite small which I thought felt more comfortable. The table used was round, which I felt was more comfortable to work with as the participants were always facing each other and it was easier to lean over the table to grab and look at things. The table, however, was clustered with scrapbooking materials and equipment – it looked like a creative person’s desk – is this good? It was sometimes almost too clustered to do things. Both participants other than me seemed more than comfortable. The tutor used a vast amount of body language, mainly to describe how to do things. Impressions I felt like both participants were more than comfortable. It was an overall comfortable environment to work in. I felt that I could talk to both participants about ideas and suggestions. I even talked about the work I do at university and how I like to create moodboards that are “different” and visually appealing. The lady who attended the scrapbooking class freely talked about her passion for scrapbooking and appeared to know a lot about the field she was in. The tutor was also comfortable in listening to the lady’s ideas as much as the lady was comfortable in listening to the tutor’s ideas. The tutor seemed to understand what she was talking about and respected the views of others. Themes The importance of attention to detail in terms of layout.

How the participants interact with their scrapbook, materials and equipment. The discussion of why scrapbookers do what they do. Take-Aways Both the tutor and the lady had very strong attention to detail about layout of scrapbooks. The tutor taught us rules, such as the odd number rule for images and the triangular reference for embellishments. The lady would play with her layout – moving things around and trying things in different places before sticking them down. The lady described that there are “trends” and the element of “fashion” when it comes to scrapbooking. She mentioned how it came in and out of fashion based on seasons. She also explained how there was a recent trend of a stag motif for scrapbookers, which lasted for an extended period of time. Both the tutor and the lady seemed very “product-based”. They would be very selective about the products they liked. They would like “pretty” things, such as decorative papers and embellishments. The lady described that she loves going to paper shops and smelling the papers, feeling them, and said she didn’t want to rip them most of the time. The tutor also explained how she really likes scrapbookers glue by Scotch as it really lends itself to what it should do. The table and how the participants would interact with items on it and around it was very interesting. As the table was round, all the participants would face each other. It also made it a lot easier to lean over the desk to grab and look at things. However, as the table was fairly small, it meant that it was very clustered. The lady lost her scissor under piles of materials and the tutor lost the lid for her glue. Both the tutor and lady agreed that scrapbookers should do what they do for themselves; they agreed that it should be aesthetically pleasing to them and not others. Perhaps scrapbooking as a personal thing is more important than sharing the scrapbook with others? Outliers Where the participants shopped. Each person has their own preference. Some people like to feel their products before they see them. The lady said she rarely buys from shops, instead shopping online. Additional Media observational photographs recorded audio scrapbook page

1/1

1/2 1/2

2/2

In order to document interesting observations and findings, I produced hot reports after every meet-up.

Questionnaire Responses I also handed out my questionnaire to the tutor and participant at the scrapbooking workshop in oder to gain deeper insights into their interests in scrapbooking.

ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH: SCRAPBOOKER MEET UP #1 My first meet up was with a female scrapbooker in her 40’s who has been scrapbooking for over 20 years. She makes many types of scrapbooks and mainly makes them for her friends and family.

This is a scrapbook designed by Jessica for one of her friends who likes old fashioned objects. She based her design on a typewriter, where the scrapbook pulls out as part of the keyboard. She describes scrapbooking as personal to the person, and that’s why she tailors each of her scrapbooks to a persona. She says there is no right or wrong way to scrapbook, and this scrapbook is a perfect example of this.

Jessica has designed a wide range of scrapbooks and she doesn’t keep the form literal. Her scrapbooks range from small pocket albums for mothers to show off their children, to larger oblong scrapbooks with paper bags incorporated to act as a keepsake for precious objects.

I met up with Jessica in a coffee shop after she agreed to show me some of her scrapbooks and talk about her experiences of scrapbooking and crafting. She brought an array of scrapbooks which, unlike most scrapbookers, she had made from scratch. She explained to me that there is no right or wrong way to scrapbook, so much so that even the form of a scrapbook doesn’t have to be literal. As she

was one of the first scrapbookers I met, the amount of creativity involved in her work did surprise me. She didn’t really fill scrapbooks up much nowadays, instead creating the actual scrapbook, making a prototype first. She tries to create new types of scrapbooks for different lifestyles and she has never sold one of her scrapbooks as it works out too expensive; she will only give them away as gifts to friends and family.

KEY OBSERVATIONS 1.

When talking with the participant, she would mention a number of times how important it is for non-scrapbookers to realise that there is more than one way of creating a scrapbook. She spoke about the different sizes, themes and things you could put into a scrapbook, and that journaling can be a form of scrapping.

The participant showed me many different types of scrapbooks she had made and the different themes, binding options, purposes, styles, materials etc. of which you could make a scrapbook with. She explained the many different artistic techniques of making papers, stamps, die cuts etc. She also said that she spots things in everyday life that she might want to use for her layouts, and that she ‘never misses anything’.

Something I hadn’t really found in my research was the ‘housing’ of a scrapbook. The first scrapbook the participant showed me was in the form of a typewriter and the scrapbook pulled out of it. The theme was old fashioned and for someone who likes typewriters, and so was personally designed and suited to them. As the participant was showing me her scrapbooks, I noticed that she would make them, but never fill them with photos and journaling. She would give them away or keep them blank. She would send them as gifts to her friends and family for Christmas and said that she has never sold any of her creations. As the participant was pulling out her scrapbooks, she said that she always makes a prototype for a new design. This was quite unusual as I hasn’t met anyone else in my research that did this. Perhaps this links with her creative side – trying new things, materials and equipment etc.

Each of the participant’s scrapbooks were themed and extremely thought through. If she was designing a scrapbook for someone, she would think about the things they like, their hobbies etc. and create a theme based on them for their scrapbook. She would think about the colour scheme and the papers used. She explained that one of the scrapbooks she made for someone has lots of space to do journaling and the person she was creating it for really liked to write.

As I got further through the session, it appeared that the participant had most of her scrapbook friends online, something that is appearing a common characteristic of most scrapbookers. She said that she doesn’t really go to crops as there is none in the local area and because she doesn’t drive. She also seemed to connect with her scrapbooks on a personal level, which also links to this therapy idea, which is why she does scrapping in the first place.

When I asked the participant if she made any scrapbooks for herself, she had to really think before saying that she did. She said this was because she hasn’t scrapbooked for herself in a long time.

When I asked her how she felt when she read scrapbooks, she said that she felt sad as she couldn’t be there with them to share the memory, and that she would then go to her journal and write down her feelings. She might even write a letter to someone from the scrapbook, saying that then she feels relieved.

I asked her how she began scrapbooking, 10. When she said she started crafting as a form of therapy due to her stressful job. She then described that she would see other people do different crafts, and that she would then want to try these crafts. Video footage http://youtu.be/yQMZOEdLvEc

ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH: SCRAPBOOKER MEET UP #2 The second scrapbooker I met I was lucky to come across as there are very few male scrapbookers in today’s practice. He is in his late 30’s and has been scrapbooking for around 15 years.

Hybrid scrapbooking makes use of digital methods in a tangible format. Paul enjoys this type of scrapbooking as a designer as it is quick and clean-cut.

Paul enjoys goings to crops (social scrapbook meet ups) and is also a blogger. He enjoys the social aspect of scrapbooking and loves to document his day-to-day life with his civil partner.

I initially got in contact with Paul through Cathy Zielske, a well-known designer who responded to my scrapbooking questionnaire. We met up so he could show me his take on scrapbooking and to allow me to ask questions and observe his behaviour and attitude. Paul’s take on scrapbooking is clean and simple. He partakes in hybrid scrapbooking, which is a mix of traditional and digital

scrapbooking. He likes to keep his work clean and simple, and follows Cathy Zielske’s scrapbooking classes online. His scrapbooks were assembled together in ring binders of each year and month. He mainly documents days out with his civil partner, but he also documents the bad things in life. He also partakes in scrapbook challenges which he finds online in the scrapbook community.

KEY OBSERVATIONS 1.

The participant didn’t really have much of a family other than his civil partner, so his scrapbooks were primarily based on their lives together. His scrapbooks were mainly documentation of his relationship with his civil partner (Nick). He stated: “I like the little days out, that’s what I want to remember.” The majority of his scrapbook pages were days out with Nick. The participant’s scrapbooks were very ‘clean’ and simple. He preferred to have a well-structured layout with minimal embellishments, so that the photographs and journaling were the main focus point. He seemed to not like some of his older scrapbook work, as they were too decorative and embellished. Nowadays he likes his designs simple and more like a photo album. He also followed classes in scrapbooking, saying he didn’t like the way it looked but did it anyway. Why? Scrapbooking is personal and for the maker only, so shouldn’t it be how he likes it? The participant decided to set up another local crop in his area, set on a different day than the one that already existed. He said he kept it quiet for the first week, then in the second week the owner of

the other crop found out and was massively upset and angered. These people bashed him in the scrapbooking community and backbit him online, particularly on a website called Scrapsmack.

As I was looking through his scrapbooks he would remember what he documented. “Oh, I forgot about that!” Is this the purpose of a scrapbook, so that you can look back on memories you thought you had forgot? He would then explain the story behind each page. Is this what he would do if he was sharing his stories with others? Some of the pages he would get embarrassed about but would laugh at the same time. Other pages would make him happy or sad. Going back through emotional cycles?

The participant described his scrapbooks as factual in that they documented the events exactly as they are. He said that most scrapbooks story tell, which might distort the event slightly to fit to the idea of a scrapbook or the theme of the page. By documenting exactly what happened, he could scrap about the good and bad and remember each event exactly how it happened.

ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH: SCRAPBOOK CROP MEET UP I attended a scrapbook meet up in East Kilbride which had 12 members. They would meet up to scrapbook together monthly and would chat about their life problems and discuss ideas about scrapbooking to inspire one another.

Each person in the crop worked on their own thing. Some were scrapbooking, others were card making and some were even making decorations/ornaments.

Crops are known for the social aspect. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a way for like-minds to gather and chat with one another. It becomes a relaxing time away from things to most of the members.

Through UKScrappers (a scrapbooking forum) I managed to get in contact with the host of a crop in East Kilbride. She allowed me to come to her next crop so I could observe and ask questions.

occasionally discussed ideas for their crafts. The atmosphere was relaxed; they were eating, drinking and the tables were messy with scrapbooking materials and equipment.

All the members of the crop are female, most of them being middle-aged. During the session, they all worked on different crafts, not just scrapbooks. Whilst crafting, they talked to one another about life and work, and

The group saw this opportunity more as a social time rather than a scrapbooking session as the majority got very little work done. The crop does last for 6 hours though, meaning their is plenty of time to scrap.

KEY OBSERVATIONS 1.

One lady was judged by the others for not doing much work and talking too much during the crop. She is apparently notorious for not doing much work at the crops. She eventually started to work on a scrapbook page and when completed said: “Cups of tea are part of the process”, whilst off to make another cup of tea. One lady, perhaps the oldest there, really focused on her work but did occasionally talk and she would always listen to others. She seemed very productive during the session and later explained that she would do ‘homework’ before the scrap so that she can be as productive as possible when at the crop. Throughout the whole session of the crop, there were barely any moments of silence. Everyone was very chatty, and they wouldn’t limit themselves to talking about crafts. They would talk about their lives, events happening and even rant about things such as the 5p plastic bag charge.

a problem for them. One lady saw what someone else was doing, and decided to also do it herself during the session.

A lot of people didn’t bring much stuff as they hated the packing and carrying of their materials and equipment. One person decided only to do card making, as it didn’t require the need to bring lots of things. A few people had craft bags, which are purpose designed to haul stuff they use when scrapbooking around with them.

Everyone had to pay £10 for the rent of the accommodation. However, all the space wasn’t used in the hall of the church, so it could be possible to find somewhere smaller to reduce the cost of the rent.

One lady, who was a primary school teacher, kept talking about all the crafty projects she did with her students and appeared to be really passionate about it.

Even though it was a crop, everyone was working on his or her own thing. Throughout the session, the scrappers would also change crafts, for example, from card making to scrapbooking.

One lady described that she would now get people to pose for photos, the poses of which would match a certain type of paper they wanted to use for a particular scrapbook page.

The scrapbookers would get inspired from their friends at the crop. When they have scrapper’s block, their friends would help them move forward and give them the motivation. They would all learn and copy ideas from each other and this wasn’t

10.

One lady said that she hated the pages that she had done a few years ago, and that she was planning on going back to them and changing them. This is because her sense of style and design has changed over the years.

ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH: SCRAPBOOKER MEET UP #3 I met up with a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator who also gives scrapbooking workshops locally. Emma is in her mid20’s and enjoys encouraging new people to scrapbook.

During the meet up, Emma let me create my own Project Life page. Project Life is marketed as a quick and easier way to scrapbook by buying cards which can slot into wallets with different layouts. These wallets will also hold photos and journaling. Emma let me choose from the Seasonal Pack of cards.

Being a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator, Emma sells scrapbooking products to people who request them. She gave me a range of different papers which people could buy for their scrapbooks.

Stampin’ Up! sell craft products through demonstrators worldwide. Emma is a demonstrator who enjoys scrapbooking and also gives workshops. During the meet up, she showed me the range of products she sells and the different types of scrapbooks on offer. These ranged from the standard 12x12 scrapbook album to Project Life. Emma enjoys encouraging

new people to scrapbook. She explained that there are different products now being tailored to different markets in the scrapbooking community. There has now been a shift with technology towards mobile apps which allow people to scrapbook on the go without all the expensive materials. This has also started to appeal to males and other non-scrapbookers, although the designs are still quite feminine.

ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH: SCRAPBOOKER MEET UP #4 Catherine is a university student who creates different scrapbooks, both for her work and for her family memories. She is in her early 20’s and also gives workshops on scrapbooking every month.

I met up with Catherine to talk about the different types of scrapbooks. She uses art journaling for her university work as a student studying Jewelry design. She also creates family scrapbook albums in a traditional scrapbook format. As there is no right or wrong way to scrapbook, it has led to many subcategories to scrapbooking and products aimed at different markets. Art journaling is a form

of scrapbooking but is more appealing towards a younger audience, especially so with teenagers. This trend has let to products such as Smash Book to appear in the market. A Smash Book is a book full of differently patterned paper with different tasks asked on each page, and is aimed to be something that isn’t “pretty” but allows quick documentation of life events in a creative and visual way.

Catherine uses art journaling to inspire her design work for university. This is a more artistic form than traditional scrapbooking that is based more on drawings rather than photographs, and is a more “slap-dash” approach.

The term scrapbooking can be loosely described as “a form of documentation” due to this idea of their being no wrong or right way. Different types of scrapbooks appeal to different markets, and as a result, scrapbooking becomes personal to each person.

ALE ORIENTED”

“ A LOT OF THESE CRAFTS ARE FEM

LL AS THE GOOD”

“ I SCRAP THE BAD EVENTS AS WE

“ SCRAPBOOKS ARE A GLIMPSE OF INDIVIDUALS”

WHO WE ARE AS

“ I BEGAN SCRAPBOOKING AFTER THE DEATH OF MY SON”

UNEXPECTED

“ I AM WORKING ON A SCRAPBOOK I WILL KEEP”

ABOUT MY LIFE THAT ISAGE MY NEXT

“ WHEN I LAY IN BED, I TRY TO ENV PROJECT IN MY HEAD”

DIE AND “ I’VE HAD A COUPLE OF RELATIVES OF THEM HELPED SCRAPBOOKING THE PHOTOS I HAD REMEMBERING THE ME WORK THROUGH MY GRIEF BY FUN TIMES WE HAD TOGETHER”

M OF STRESS “ FOR ME, SCRAPBOOKING IS A FOR RELIEF. I LOVE TO BE CREATIVE”

FOCUS ON MY “ I GET TUNNEL VISION. I CAN ONLY ISHED” SCRAPBOOK UNTIL THE PAGE IS FIN

OOKER WOULD “ NO ONE BESIDES A FELLOW SCRAPB D THOUGHT THAT APPRECIATE THE TIME, EFFORT, AN GOES INTO A SINGLE PAGE”

ETHING SO HAPPY “ I SCRAP ALONE AND THERE IS SOM FT ROOM” AND CALMING JUST BEING IN MY CRA

AUSE I HATE

“ I DON’T LIKE TO GO TO CROPS BEC PACKING UP ALL MY STUFF” “ IN CREATING A SCRAPBOOK YOU THE PHOTOS”

THINK MORE ABOUT APBOOK”

“ MY FACEBOOK IS MY DIGITAL SCR

KING NOT WORTH

“ MOST MALES CONSIDER SCRAPBOO THE EFFORT”

IAL ASPECT”

“ I ALSO SCRAPBOOK FOR THE SOC

ENSION TO THE

“ EMBELLISHMENTS BECOME AN EXT LOVE OF MY FAMILY”

TO LEAVE PHOTOS “ IT’S TOO EASY THIS DAY AN AGE D FORGET ABOUT ON A HARD DRIVE SOMEWHERE AN THEM UNTIL THEY ARE LOST” “ I SCRAPBOOK FOR ME” “ “

SCRAPBOOKING “ INTERIM PRESENTATION

With“ all the research I had conducted so far, I assembled my findings and presented them in a PechaKucha style presentation, lasting 3:40 minutes. I also came up with three open design opportunities based on my research.

A STROKE THAT “ IT HELPED ME ESPECIALLY AFTER BRAIN” WEAKENED THE RIGHT SIDE OF MY TO STAY YOUNGER IN “ PEOPLE WHO LAUGH A LOT TEND LOOKS, AS WELL AS MENTALLY” LS DUE TO THE “ I AM UNABLE TO USE CRAFT TOO AND HAND” WEAKNESS IN MY SHOULDER, ARM ANY TIME I GET TO “ I HAVE CHRONIC DAILY MIGRAINE. SPEND SCRAPBOOKING IS A THRILL” AND CREATIVE TO “ SCRAPBOOKING IS INSPIRATIONAL A RIGHT OR WRONG MY OWN STANDARDS. THERE ISN’T WAY” FOR THE SPECIAL “ SCRAPBOOKING IS AN EASY CRAFT OFF THINGS WHILST NEEDED AS IT TAKES THEIR MIND DEVELOPING THEIR SKILLS” CRAFT ROOM DOOR “ I LOVE THE ABILITY TO SHUT MY G ELSE. I LOVE MY AND DRIFT AWAY FROM EVERYTHIN OWN LITTLE WORLD” “ CUPS OF TEA ARE PART OF THE

PROCESS” ENT PAPERS,

“ I LOVE TO PLAY WITH THE DIFFER EMBELLISHMENTS AND TOOLS”

AUTOETHNOGRAPHY KITS AND CULTURAL PROBES After desk research and ethnographic studies, I decided to use autoethnography kits in order to gain a depth of information that isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t easily accessible through current means of investigation. I designed kits for both scrapbookers and non-scrapbookers.

KIT 1

non-scrapbooker:

This is a non-scrapbooker kit that asked the participant to put positive and negative things into the boxes provided accordingly. A disposable camera was also given and asked users to take photos of their day-to-day life, both the good and bad times. The aim of the kit was to effectively get the user to scrapbook through documentation by simply collecting things, journaling and taking photos. I wanted to see the types of things that would be collected.

KIT 2

scrapbooker:

This is a kit for a scrapbooker that asked them to write or draw any thoughts, moods, feelings and emotions when thinking about or whilst scrapbooking. The aim was to see if the scrapbooker become more positive and relaxed when they scrapbooked, looking into the therapeutic aspect of scrapbooking.

KIT 3

scrapbooker:

This is a kit for a scrapbooker that asked them to fill in before and after cards when scrapbooking to track their stress and feelings throughout the session. It also challenged the participant to encourage someone new to scrapbook, getting them to document why they would or wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t scrapbook and what they liked and didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t like about the idea. A disposable camera was also given for the participant to take photos of their scrapbooking sessions and experiences.

Positivity Box The participant used the provided materials creatively to document the things in life she often takes for granted.

Negativity Box This box was less creative and a lot messier than her positivity box and also homed the darker aspects of her life such as her illness and worries. She also built a bin full of negative personal characteristics.

Autoethnography kit 1 Participant 1 20 year old female

Positivity Box Artefacts collected in this box provided subtle hints to the lifestyle of the participant.

Negativity Box The participant seemed to keep a balance between artefacts collected in both boxes, and the colour schemes in each box also provided interesting insights.

Autoethnography kit 1 Participant 2 19 year old male

Scrapbooker’s Journal This completed journal helped me understand what’s going on in a scrapbooker’s mind on a day-to-day basis.

Participant’s Digital Scrapbook The participant also included his scrapbooker’s journal into his digital scrapbooking, showing that the journal itself has inspired him somewhat.

Autoethnography kit 2 35 year old male scrapbooker

These cards demonstrated a positive change in her moods and feelings after each scrapbooking session.

Completed Fringe of a Fringe Cards These responses gave me insights into why people may choose not to scrapbook, but also what elements of scrapbooking might appeal to them.

Autoethnography kit 3 38 year old female scrapbooker

DESIGN DIRECTION: THERAPY & AUDIENCE APPEAL Based on my research so far and the completed autoethnography kits, my design direction was to focus on making scrapbooking more therapeutic whilst also making it appeal to a wider market of people.

DESIGN IDEAS: THERAPEUTIC ASPECTS OF SCRAPBOOKING

One of the most important and most interesting findings in my scrapbooking research was this idea that it is a relaxing and therapeutic hobby. My aim was to enhance this therapeutic aspect.

Throughout my research I discovered that scrapbookers find the hobby therapeutic in different ways. Some find it fun as a creative craft as you feel accomplished and it takes your mind off things, and others found it therapeutic as you are reminding yourself of the good things in life and revisiting those happy moments.

Here they can shut themselves out the real world and immerse themselves in a place that makes them happy.

Some scrapbookers have their own room dedicated to the craft.

I began to look into how I could enhance this therapeutic aspect.

Not only do scrapbookers feel therapeutic when scrapping, but when they share their creations with their family and friends, they also feel this element of happiness and joy.

I went back to my research and pulled out all the data that linked scrapbooking to therapy. I then studied these in order to gain ideas and inspiration to move forward. A lot of people begin to scrapbook after a rough time in their life, such as a family death or illness. Scrapbooking is also closely linked to those with Alzheimerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and other memory related issues. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a way to help them remember.

Other scrapbookers started the hobby as a form of stress relief, especially mothers who find it a relaxing getaway time but yet at the same time are making something nice for their family.

DESIGN IDEAS: THE FRINGE MARKET OF SCRAPBOOKERS The typical market for scrapbooking is females, especially those in their middle-ages and mothers. Fringe groups within scrapbooking are males and younger people.

I began to research into the market for scrapbooking further, looking into why it might not appeal as a hobby to some and the opportunities I could work with in order to develop my design direction.

I decided to create another online questionnaire aimed at non-scrapbookers, asking a series of questions on why they don’t scrapbook and what they think about the idea of it. The majority of responses said they had never thought about scrapbooking, and that it was too crafty, expensive, time-consuming and cliche. However, a lot of the participants had digital albums on their phones or computers which they would revisit and look back at regularly.

There is a very particular market for scrapbooking which has changed throughout history. Nowadays, scrapbooking is associated with crafty females, but when scrapbooking first emerged, it was predominantly a male hobby. Through my research, two of the main reasons people avoid scrapbooking is due to the craft work it involves and the time it takes. However, others just

don’t find it rewarding, others too expensive, and some find it pointless and unrewarding. My aim was to focus on the idea of their being “no right or wrong was to scrapbook” to create a design that appeals to a wider market. Perhaps this can be done by not making the effect of scrapbooking literal, and in a way it subconsciously happens. Another way is to simplify the process, making it effortless.

Cognitive behavioural therapy: CBT can be incorporated into scrapbooking in an attempt for the user to reflect positively on their negative experiences, occurrences and thoughts.

Narrative therapy: Narrative therapy can be incorporated into scrapbooking to make users reflect on their day-to-day life by narrating moments where there are significant mood changes. This could link with CBT to create positive goals based on negative happenings, or could make the user see a new light which isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t seen without narrating the moment.

Mindfulness: Mindfulness can be included to take users off auto-pilot and to make them appreciate everyday life, even if there is a negative association. Documenting everyday life can be therapeutic and can help the user to establish a place where they are in life.

DEVELOPING A CONCEPT Based on mindfulness and narrative therapy, I developed a concept idea which attempts to document everyday life through a product and mobile app, being both quick and enjoyable. Through technology, it attempts to also appeal to a wider audience.

INITIAL DESIGN CONCEPT: FEATURES & OUTCOMES With an idea of the initial concept in mind, I began to develop a set of features and outcomes which the product and app will do, and also began thinking about the potential form of the object.

The aim for the product is to be a transportable device which can be used to document daily life. It is a device which connects to a mobile app to allow the user to review their day and any special moments and/or occasions. The product itself tracks the users mood throughout the day, and also has GPS to trace where they have been. It will also vibrate at random intervals to remind the user to document the current

moment as it happens through any means they choose. The product will also transform into a device which allows the user to document photos, artefacts and journaling through narrative audio recording, or can be recorded as the moment happens, for example, singing happy birthday at a party, which can then be linked to the photo taken in a tangible or nontangible format.

I produced a mind map of potential ideas of what the product and mobile app could do and the possible outcomes of the experience.

I began to look into a transformable form for the product. I decided to research into a wristband which records day-to-day life, which then transforms into a stylus that brings the recorded documentation to life.

The final design is a wristband that makes use of flexible material which can be used to transform the product into a responsive stylus.

Dot matrix display

Stylus

Sensors in the tip of the device allow the user to perform gestures over artefacts to playback recordings and moods accordingly.

The user wears the wristband through day-to-day life. It will track their moods throughout the day as well as their location, which is used for the mobile app when it comes to reviewing the day.

When the day is over, the user can then transform the wristband into a stylus to reveal their day. Using the app, they can see the things they have documented, the places they have been and the moods they have felt.

This display gives information about audio recordings, moods, battery level etc. and even becomes a digital watch when in wristband format.

HAND GRIP

Speaker/microphone MICRO USB CHARGE

A mic. allows the user to quickly catch a moment as it happens, or can be used to narrate at a later time. The speaker allows the recordings to be played.

Sensors

The device incorporates an accelerometer and gyrocscrope to allow gestures to be performed e.g. double squeeze to record. The userâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mood is also tracked through sensors.

HAND GRIP

The wristband has an in-built microphone which can be used to quickly document the audio of a moment when out and about.

The user can also record audio with the stylus, such as narrating a photo or some journaling. The tip of the stylus has sensors which reads what has been selected, meaning the user can play back the audio of anything they have documented with the tap of the stylus. They can also narrate artefacts and objects using an audio tag which would be attached to objects that are three-dimensional.

The device is powered by a rechargeable battery through USB. The device also has a dot-matrix screen which gives information about recordings, battery level, moods and alerts.

As the device is to appeal to a wide audience, colour consideration is important. I explored colour palettes and primary and secondary tones of the form.

I decided to call my product/ service Perscribo, which means to write out, write down, or to place on record in Latin. The logo makes use of the two forms of the product: the wristband and the stylus, by incorporating them into the typography of the name.

I decided to use clay to sample the form of the product, and started exploring the textures and grips which could be used.

FINAL CONCEPT, SAMPLES & EXHIBITION

With the concept now in place, I produced samples, user journeys and a poster in preparation for my final exhibition. I also thought about the types of users who would use Perscribo and the benefits it would bring to them.

PERSCR B

A series of samples showing the development of the form and exploration of materiality, colour and texture.

An example of documentation of objects using audio tags, demonstrated with artefacts collected by a participant in their negativity box.

An example of documenting photos using gestures, such as double tap to record and tap once to play, demonstrated using a participantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s positivity box.

app icon

today’s challenge today’s challenge

Perscribo

visual timeline timeline

timeline selection

today’s challenge today’s challenge

favourites favourites

Perscribo Perscribo camera camera

my Perscribo Perscribo my

today’s

home home screen screen

interactive map

export in

my my community community

loading loading screen screen

I decided to record the birds tweeting just outside my house since I hear them every morning. I’ll be moving out from this ﬂat soon and this will help me remember them

interactive interactive map map selection selection

nteractive map

community profile community proﬁle

shared shared post post selection selection

Screenshots showing the features of the mobile app and the service aspect of Perscribo.

I’m 26 and travel a lot. I also practice photo gra Perscribo is a gre phy. at way for me to quickly do cument my life on the go an dI easily journal my can photos through capturin g au it happens. I sha dio as re these moments with my family when home.

PERSCR B

Dean Lloyd 1,325 scraps

I’m 78 and have Alzheimer’s. My wife loves to scrapbook to help me remember things, but I use my Perscribo so that she can see my daily events - she then can add these things to her scrapbook. She loves that I can get involved with her hobby.

I’m 86 and my daughter loves to scrapboo k. shows me he She often r scrapboo ks and gives m e the Perscr ib stylus so th at I can hear o the moments sh e experienc ed and the sto ries she ha s to tell. It’s more pe rsonal and intimate liste ning rather than reading.

PERSCR B

I’m 35 and have to kids. I was always jealous of scrapbookers. I love scrapbooks but don’t have the time to do one myself. I use Perscribo to chronicle my children’s lives quickly. I sometimes print the map and keep them in a ﬁle for me to remember a special day.

I’m 16 and go to high school. I love socialising with my friends and we hang out a lot. I love to have a laugh and record the funny moments I have with them using the Perscribo. Recording my mood also lets me see what things inﬂuence my day-today life.

Irene Chasity 543 scraps

Francesca Pimm 2,312 scraps

PERSCR B

Katie Donegan 3,463 scraps

Peter Rodderick 165 scraps

PERSCR B

I’m 47 and work in the law industry. It’s a stressful job, but I use my Perscribo to take my brain out of autopilot. I love the daily challenges on the Perscribo, they are always fun to do and it’s nice to look back on the things I documented on the usual plain old boring day at work.

PERSCR B

Mark Tate 234 scraps

A range of different personas who wish to document their life but do not have the time or skill traditional scrapbooking takes, but instead use Perscribo to make documentation simple and effective.

because every moment deserves to be documented.

SELF-REFLECTION Overall, I felt this was a really strong project due to the depth of ethnographic research I had performed. Engaging with my fringe group truly allowed me to understand who they are as people, their rituals and the artefacts that shape who they are. Thankfully, all the scrapbookers I met were more than helpful and largely contributed to my project. As scrapbooking is a dying craft, especially so in the UK, it was sometimes tedious sending out messages asking for interviews and meet ups. Although it was sometimes difficult getting hold of scrapbookers to meet up with, it paid off due to the useful findings gained from these experiences. It has also given me confidence in meeting new people and engaging with them in terms of what they love the most. The more meet ups I attended, the more I learned about observation and ethnographic techniques. I am happy with my final outcome and feel that it was ambitious to take on therapeutic side of scrapbooking whilst also attempting to appeal scrapbooking to a new market. With my design outcome, I feel I have managed to retail the traditional values of scrapbooking whilst augmenting the experience through non-intrusive

technology. I really like the use of transforming the form of the product from a wristband to a stylus as it becomes a metaphor of opening up and revealing the dayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s events when unfastening. If I had more time during the project, I would have liked to produce a final model rather than a sample model. However, I liked exploring with the form and seeing how subtle changes would change the feel and experience behind using the device. As the research section was the major component to this project, it did leave very little time to create a design idea and produce a concept. Although this stage felt rushed and kept me very busy, it has allowed me to work with tight deadlines to progress to a well considered and thought through final outcome. The most enjoyable part of this project was the ethnographic studies. It allowed me to discover a subculture and fully immerse myself within the fringe group, and designing for these people proved a challenging yet refreshing opportunity.

JAKE COHEN PRODUCT DESIGN THE GLASGOW SCHOOL OF ART