YingDesign Vol. 1

volume 1

the research issue

Design Research its application and possibility

The Healthy Diet survey college student diets across regions Managing Dementia assess imminent needs of senior consumers MagaCard identify opportunities for new product line BraveHeart develop heart health product for firefighters Fox Chapel Racquet Club redefine the image for a local legacy

design research is...

What’s so special about design research? Does it work?

I have been thinking about my role as a design researcher lately. A year in graduate program did not cast its magical spell on me. People question the logistics of “design research” and wonder the value of my work. In this issue, I will use some of my works to discuss the application and possibility of design research.

What is design research? Open, interactive, collaborative and accessible.

My roommate is a PhD candidate in rehabilitation studies and one day she spotted me making an affinity map for a website rebuilding project with post-its on my bedroom wall.

“So, people pay you to stick post-its on walls?” The future PhD was not impressed.

Upon first glance, my action seemed ineffective. What can a wall of post-its do to problem-solving? The value of design research roots deeply in externalizing the creative process. Unless documented, presented and shared, experiences, ideas and thoughts inside your head are inaccessible to others and therefore useless. By adapting tools such as the affinity map, interactive workbooks, or sticker exercises, participants of the creative process are able to visualize and can better understand and interact with each other.

This understanding and encouraged interaction is the base of innovation and effective collaboration I emphasize immensely in my works.

How the results are presented also sets design researchers apart from researchers in other fields: compelling, sensual and accessible. Information exhibited by Bruce Mau or the Laboratory of Architecture is not new. Scientists and advocates warn us consistently about climate change and immigrant issues via journals, newspapers, televisions, or radios, and how many of us actually paid attention to them? Yet visitors at the exhibitions were all gripped. Even the success of “The Inconvenient Truth” owes much to the design team behind its fascinating presentation.

In short, design research supports people to understand issues at stake and to work collaboratively in an open, interactive and collaborative environment with accessible resources.

My take on design research: it must work and it got to be fun!

Later that day, I showed my example of affinity map to a group of tennis amateurs when facilitating a workshop with Tim Cunningham, founder of Daedalus Excel and member of the club, at the Fox Chapel Racquet Club. At first, participants wondered if the exercises would bring much progress. By the end of the two-hour workshop, all participants had equal opportunity in sharing thoughts and everyone was on the same page regarding target audience, future directions and club image.

“I don’t know what we just did, but it surely was fun!” one participant commented at the end of the workshop. Goals must be completed. Participation should be honored and the process should be highly interactive and interesting. When you listen and the ride is fun, people go along and open up with you happily.

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/us/ or send a letter to Creative Commons, 171 Second Street, Suite 300, San Francisco, California, 94105, USA.

The Healthy Diet

a maketool1 research project on college student diet across sites Google the term “healthy diet” and you will find over 35 million results suggesting various types of diet. However, what really do people think? What is “healthy eating” for them? Will that differ from what the experts expect?

Do they consider themselves eat healthily? And does that differ from reality?

A workbook consisting of a questionnaire, meal diary, two exercises and a collage was designed and distributed to 12 students in Columbus, OH, USA, 5 in Taipei, Taiwan and 5 in Berlin, Germany. All participants spent one week completing the task. These workbooks were later collected in person, through mail or email.

1

The Maketool method is an interactive, user-participatory research technique developed by Dr. Elizabeth Sanders. The goal is to detecting user needs by examing “what they say,” “what they do” and “what they make.” Consumers are invited to engage in a series of exercises including video/ picture diary, collages, etc. For more information, please visit http://www.maketools.com Designed by Ying Lee. All rights reserved. Please contact Ying Lee for commercial use.

Between theory and reality

* % Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

American students’ food intake Taiwanese students’ food intake German students’ food intake

Taiwanese students exceed daily meat and protein intake by 25%.

50%

50%

100% of daily value

100% of daily value

Ideal Diet Composition

The greatest challenge of this project were to analyze the visual data and to present the conclusion in a comprehensive format. Several measures were taken in order to quantify the imagery sources. Participants were asked to document and label the content and amount of their food intake in their meal diary. Stickers used for exercises were labled prior to distribution.

Actual Daily Food Intake*

The pie charts shown above are developed by Ying Lee in September, 2009. Ideal Diet Composition was based on the results from the collage exercise, “What Is Ideal Diet for You?.” Actual Daily Food Intake was based on the collective results from the meal diaries. All calculations are based on the Daily Values of a 2,000 calories diet established by the US Food and Drug Administration.

Analyzing visual data: translating images into tangible figures

Designed by Ying Lee. All rights reserved. Please contact Ying Lee for commercial use.

managing dementia

developing a digital calendar for seniors with dementia in assisted living facilities I can’t be there 24/7. I have to work. I have my own family.

But it doesn’t mean I don’t care.

Two female seniors with mild Alzheimer’s disease was observed at the Westminster Adult Day Care in Columbus, OH. One of their family members was interviewed.

The family member expected to review progresses of her loved one with staffs at the end of the day.

Involvement

recognition

independence

A female diagnosed with early Alzheimer’s disease in her late 70s was observed in her unit at an assisted living facility. She enjoyed independence and value the choices she had in social activities organized by the facility. However, she was overwhelmed by the amount of information, including posts on bulletin board, flyers, receipts, and notes from doctors or family members. She hoarded all materials for fear that she might lose anything that was “important.”

Following professionals were interviewed for their insights on various issues of dementia, including the development of the illness, possible impairments, professional and family supports: two instructors of adult fitness program at the McConnell Heart Health Center; a social worker from the Alzheimer’s Association; the center manager at the Adult Day Care; a neurologist at The Ohio State University Medical Center. They noted the limits of medication and the role of caregivers in providing excellent care for people with Alzheimer’s disease.

Medication can help maximize years of healthy life but not prolong life span. Routines help self-management.

I like to have someone help me when I need them. This is MY life, not theirs.

With the society aging rapidly, dementia has become an imminent issue. Although people with early-stage dementia can maintain most functions in life, they need support from family members and professional caregivers.

The deprivation of independence and the contradictory need for others can be stressful for everyone involved.

By setting up an accessible and interactive schedule, the digital calendar helps residents maintain independence

as much as possible while giving caregivers and family members a less intruding way to assist them in their lives.

Direct user participatory methods were not used in this project. An interface prototype was developed based on observations of people with early stage Alzheimer’s disease and comprehensive interviews with other stakeholders. The prototype was then assessed by the individual with Alzheimer’s in an assisted living facility.

Designed by Ying Lee. All rights reserved. Please contact Ying Lee for commercial use.

design brief problem statement

Final presentation

To design a product that can ease

frustration that exists in assisted li

facilities between residents with e

Alzheimer’s disease, care-givers an members.

An interactive interface was presented along with a poster at The Ohio State University Design Thesis Show on June 8, 2007.

The digital calendar was proposed to be installed by assisted living facilities. Once a new resident moves in, caregivers will teach him/her how to use and help the resident personalize the calendar. The resident can view

the calendar, edit existing data and input new data into design objective the digital calendar with a stylus or finger tips. Caregivers Although these residents can care because of their ment and family members can also view, edit and input data themselves, condition, they need to be constan monitored. This can be annoying a into the digital calendar through the Internet. build anxiety between people. By

an accessible and interactive routi

digital calendar helps residents ma

The interface prototype can be accessed online at independence as much as possible giving care-givers and family mem http://yingdesign.blogspot.com/2008/06/digital-calendar-intruding way to assist them in the for-residents-with.html what’s happening now ...

It all started with love and care, b ended with overbearing questions information.

how is she doing recently?

what did she really do?

Leila is getting married next month.

Peter’s school play

how are you today?

did you go to the gardening session?

have you taken your med?

? ?

Don’t forget that we are visiting you next weekend.

how can the calendar help ...

Let information be information and caring. No more intruding question

how is she doing recently?

Don’t forget that we are visiting you next weekend.

Peter’s school play

the digital calendar have you taken your med?

Leila is getting married

did you go to the gardening session? vitamins!!

appointment

activities

how are you today?

product features 12” touch screen

flat mode

special thanks to ...

how to use ...

The calendar comes with regular

The Alzheimer’s Association

and common activities in the

Jeff Watson

facilities installed.

The McConnell Heart Health Cente Lisa Drugen Cheryl Kuriger Once a new resident moves in,

Debbie Drumberg

care-givers will teach him/her The calendar can be activated both with one’s finger or

The panel in standard mode stands at a 65 angle. The

how to use and help the resident

Division of Cognitive Neurology

with the input stylus. Besides the resident, both

flat mode provides user a better position when writing.

personalize the calendar.

The Ohio State University Medical Douglas Scharre

care-givers and family members can access and input information via the Internet.

speaker

product specification standard mode

attached input stylus

flat mode

13.5” X 11” X 6.95” 13.5” X 11” X 0.75”

main material

DuPont Corian

interactive calendar

The resident can view the calendar,

Senior Independence Adult Day Ca

edit existing data and input new

Westminster-Thurber Community

data into the digital calendar.

Laurie Lomax

Care-givers and famili members can also view, edit and input data into the digital calendar through the Internet.

manage your life

a digital calendar

for assisted living facility residents with early stage Alzheimer’s disease

Designed by Ying Lee. All rights reserved. Please contact Ying Lee for commercial use.

Ying Lee

Industrial Design The Ohio State U

participants completing task diary at Company A

sna p bra shot f ins tor rom in min g s itial ess ion

Headquartered in Taipei, Taiwan, ROC., Ndevr Corps. has been focusing on manufacturing durable and multifunctional flash memory products and related accessories for various companies. Ndevr is now considering developing a new line of multifunctional flash drives under its own identity.

Designers, managers and marketing from Ndevr were invited to a brainstorming session to clarify the goal and the prerequisites of the project. A task diary with a questionnaire was then designed and distributed to employees of three other companies that had no relations with Ndevr Corps.

1600 All participants spent on average 30 minutes 1500 1400 completing the task diary.

5BTL %JBSZ 工作日誌 TFBSDI GPS DSFBUJWF PöDF Q SPEV 創新辦公 產品研究DUT 基本資料 年齡

性別 男

1800

1000

1200 Due to business confidentiality reasons, images of 1100 or related to products of Ndevr are not shown.

mega card

identifying opportunities for new product line

Designed by Ying Lee. All rights reserved. Please contact Ying Lee for commercial use.

經營/行政

/總務 客服/門市 /業務 操作/技術 /維修

1700

工作日誌 填寫方法

逸逸 逸逸 逸逸

工作性質

1300

女

行銷/企劃

物流/運輸 設計/美工

/研發

第二頁與 第三頁為 跨頁日誌 今日所使 記錄表。 用的辦公 請配合所 用品，按 附的貼紙 時間貼在 ，將您 紀錄表中 。 若是您所 使用的物 品，沒有 自行在記 包含在所 錄表上寫 附的貼紙 、或是畫 類別內， 出。 您可以 淡藍色「 逸」字的 貼紙，表 有需要的 示「夢幻 東西不在 逸品」之 手邊，或 意；辦公 之憾；您 是功能更 時，常 可將這些 強大的輔 需求寫、 助工具無 相對應的 或是畫在 法得手 使用時機 「逸」上 。 ，貼在記 錄表上

最後一面

兩題問答

謝謝您的

參與。

，字數不

限。請在

完成紀錄

表後回答

。

Result: Proposal for the new product line During the brainstorming sessions, it was decided that this new product line would incorporate common office supplies. The challenge was which features to include.

The task diary was designed so that each sticker represent an hour usage of certain office supply item. Verbal and written comments from participants were also taken into considerations during preliminary analysis.

According to the preliminary analysis, 4 specific user groups: male sales, male officers, female sales, and office ladies were defined with their favored products. The results were represented to Ndevr on January 15 2008.

The graph shown below were redesigned by Ying Lee in September, 2009.

Task Diary completed by a participant

total hours of usage

30

20

10

0.50

1.00

1.50

POTENTIAL FEATURES FOR MEGA CARD

2.00

2.50

E* =

300

10.00

total hours of usage (male) / number of male total hours of usage (female) / number of female Top three features of highest hours of usage Features have higher hours of usage for female Features have higher hours of usage for male Features also included in the task diary

Designed by Ying Lee. All rights reserved. Please contact Ying Lee for commercial use.

E*

phase 3: conceptualize

Weight

Cooling

Improve Mobility

Customizable Turnout Gear

Health Condition Monitoring

Improved Lift/Carry

Equipment Carrying

Stress Reduction

COMPANY CRITERIA Fits MSA Product Line

3

15

30

21

30

29

18

15

Fits MSA Business Strategy

2

10

29

21

24

29

17

17

Relates to Safety

5

21

29

13

35

25

18

22

Opportunities to Innovate

4

27

31

23

21

28

29

32

phase 1: 28 34 31 24 30 4 identify Product opportunity

26

31

TEAM CRITERIA Potential for Multiple Concepts Excitement

5

24

27

19

19

23

13

25

Challenging

2

27

27

28

32

24

20

28

564

742

537

652

665

503

622

TOTAL

phase 2: understand Product opportunity

developing a heart health product for firefighters in the United States Mine Safety Appliances (MSA) recruited a team of mechanical engineers, an interaction designer and industrial designers to develop new product for first responders in the United States.

The development was divided into four phases. The focus in first two phases was to acquire general understanding of the target user group, stakeholders involved and the profitability of this particular market.

Through literature research, interviews with experts in different organizations and various product development exercises, the team concluded that there is a product opportunity for a heart health product for firefighters.

The final two phases focused on feasibility, marketability and the physical making of the product opportunity.

The concept was reviewed by medical researchers, biomechanical researchers and local fire engines.

Designed by Ying Lee. All rights reserved. Please contact Ying Lee for commercial use.

final phase: realize A series of prototypes based primarily on potential output were developed and were tested by firefighters at a local fire engine. Prototypes included: LED coat clip, LED fire helmet, vibrating chest strap, vibrating

Braveheart

arm strap. Sketches of final device were also provided.

All firefighters favored the vibrating chest strap. An live demonstration was delivered to MSA with a working prototype by team members on May 8, 2009.

There is an opportunity to develop a wearable device that collects information about the heart and respiratory rates of firefighters and displays this information in a way that allows firefighters and their associates to make better informed and proactive decisions during firefighting activities.

Designed by Ying Lee. All rights reserved. Please contact Ying Lee for commercial use.

legacy renewed

redesigning website and rebranding the image for Fox Chapel Racquet Club The Fox Chapel Racquet Club has been part of many tennis and racquet lovers’ life in the Pittsburgh area. The club currently has a basic HTML language based website with static images, text and a online court reservation system. However, the website is difficult to maintain and update. The need for a new website that would engage club members in club activities while attracting the interest of new members is imminent.

The workshop encouraged collaborative yet focused discussions among the committee about the functions and features for the new site. The website committee found a platform provider and the actual website development will start in late October, 2009.

2

The website committee invited Tim Cunningham and Ying Lee to facilitate a workshop in hope to define the target audience and the look of the new website.

The current website is mostly consisted of static images and text with a member-only online reservation system that every enjoys. A platform for collaborative editing is non-existent.

There is no live update for club activities.

Features other than the reservation system are based on external links or free web-based services. For example, the weather page on Post-Gazette.com and WebShots.

2

Tim Cunningham is the founder of Daedalus Excel, a product development firm in Pittsburgh, PA. Tim has taught at Carnegie Mellon University and The Ohio State University. He is the recipient of a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts for the study of design history and has written articles on the subject for several design publications. He has consulted or lectured on design in Korea, Ukraine, Taiwan, and Singapore. Tim was elected a Fellow of the Industrial Design Society of America (IDSA) in 1999, and has served on the Board of Directors of the IDSA and the Association of Professional Design Firms. Currently, Tim contributes to Daedalus Excel’s business development efforts. He chairs the board of directors of the Pittsburgh chapter of the MIT Enterprise Forum, and is President of Calliope, Pittsburgh’s Folk Music Society.

Designed by Ying Lee. All rights reserved. Please contact Ying Lee for commercial use.

Results: comprehensive lists of features Fred and Claire Legacy Forty something’s. Parents were members before them. Moved out of the area after college, but returned when the kids started arriving to be nearer to family and community. Both have good jobs. Because of their long association with the club from youth, they move easily between the

older and younger members. Active in the club’s governance, social, and Aniruddha and Jai Ethnicsports activities. Would like their kids to have the same experience as they did growing up. They and family members have participated American born Asians devoted to family and ethnic values.

Both regularly inare many other athletic activities outside the Club and have medical professionals. Two children in middle school enjoyed who are the active bikeonand kayak trips the Club has offered. Now live in school teams. Parents are interested in seeing kids improve in all areas Squirrel Hill. including tennis. Prefer to stay home with kids rather than participate in club social events in the evening. Enjoy playing tennisFred together on the FCRC Website goals: & Claire’s weekends when they can get a babysitter. Slowly getting to know others in the club, mainly through participation in men’s night 1. and … women’s paddle. Would consider helping out with other Club activities, 2. … but do not know how to get involved.

3. …

Aniruddha & Jai’s FCRC Website goals: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

membermember social networking

online court and event scheduling

6

club image

… … … … … … … …

4. …

5. …

6. …

7. …

8. …

Kyle &ofMary’s FCRC Website goals: Young couple that moved to Fox Chapel in anticipation their small children’s need for good elementary schools. Active athletes throughout 1. sporadically and their lives, tennis is something that they have played 2. joined during a enjoyed. Looking for a summer pool for the kids, they 3. … many of the club membership promotion and discovered they enjoyed … age group both adult activities as well. Now play tennis often with4.their 5. … together and singly. Actively working on their games with instruction 6. by … joining teams at from the club pro, and have taken up paddle as well, 7. … their level. Regulars at club dances and social events such as vodka 8. … tastings that attract their age group.

1.

2.

3. …

4. …

5. …

6. …

7. …

8. …

webcam coverage for instant updates on court conditions

member-staff communication channels

The new website of the Fox Chapel Racquet Club should attract and retain members that - are involved in most club activities; - have a legacy of family ties to the club; - are open to members of ethnic background; and, - are longtime supporters of the club.

Additionally the website should - consider the needs of staff; - have a contemporary feel; while, - communicating a sense of family values and affordability.

It’s about groups, communities, [and] neighborhoods in which you have the capacity for a community to investigate and invest in solutions rather than individuals.

--- John Thackara, Director, Doors of Perception

1 Ten personas and a list of features were developed by the website committee and served as the foundation for the workshop. 2 Facilitators

divided participants into two 3-person groups.Each group were asked to discuss, list and present specific website goals and needs for each persona.

3 Participants placed stickers with their initials on 12 style boards representing the possible look and feel of the new website. An open discussion about the selection was then followed. 4, 5 Participants were asked to review and select the personas that reflect the previous discussion. Goals for the selected website personas were written on postits and used create an affinity map.

For the complete workshop presentation, go to http://www.slideshare. net/leeying0525/fox-chapel-racquet-club-website-redesign

2

3

4

5

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Lon Chuckles

She and family joined the club because she thought her three kidsLon would took over club management when it was at a low point in benefit when they were in elementary school. Kids are now in college membership and teetering financially. Under his management a new and her husband never really participated much because of his travel tennis pro was hired and maintenance upgraded. Food service has schedule. However, Jane now has friends in the club (many of them improved and expanded. Regular staff training takes place. He is neighbors) and participates with them in a daytime paddle rotation, and working with the board and members to increase the value of actively regular Saturday tennis games in the summer. Jane has served onmembership the by adding social and athletic events that appeal to the club club board, is a regular at the club open houses and other events demographic. (bridge The club has been active in booking regional tennis and lessons). paddle tournaments and making the facilities available for private events.

Jane’s FCRC Website goals:

1. years. Kids Semi-retired couple that has been a member of the club for are grown and gone. Each has participated fully in all the2.club has 3. … offered through the years. Mary served as membership chairman on two … on club occasions, and Kyle can be counted on to pitch in when 4. needed 5. …and plays in activities. Kyle now captains one of the lower paddle teams 6. …of old a regular Saturday morning tennis rotation. Will join a table … pool or to friends at club events. Likes to take the grandkids to the 7. club 8. … hit tennis balls when they come to visit their grandparents.

Mike and Penny Involved

Mike & Penny’s FCRC Website goals:

comprehensive display of activity and event information

Kyle and Mary Regular

Jane Friendly

Lon’s FCRC Website goals:

1.

2.

3. …

4. …

5. …

6. …

7. …

8. …

Marvin was hired shortly after Lon Chuckles took over the club management, to improve the coaching available to members. Well connected with the local professional community Marvin has given the club a year round coaching presence through his involvement in the winter paddle season. Organizing group youth tennis lessons, club scrambles, and hosting regional tournaments are a major part of his activities, in addition to member lessons. Court decorum, rules, and scheduling are in his domain. Marvin is responsible for tennis shack sales of tennis equipment and clothing, as well as racket stringing and other repairs.

Marvin Oldpro

Marvin’s FCRC Website goals: 1.

2.

3. …

4. …

5. …

6. …

7. …

8. …

1

Contact ying Lee questions or comments welcomed 10 FL 9-1 An-Hsin RD Hsin-Tien City, 23159 Taiwan, ROC 886. 2. 2212. 2364 ph 886. 2. 8666. 1650 fax

141 North Dithridge ST APT 32 Pittsburgh, PA 15213 USA 1. 614. 376. 2396 leeying0525@gmail.com yingdesign.blogspot.com

Coming soon: The Inclusive Design Issue