Presentation to Design Council

Design Improv A new design method for gaining insights fast

Presentation to the Design Group Design Council, 28.07.05

by Nathan Waterhouse

Design Improv is a playful way of exploring the potential of a design project within a group dynamic.

Design Improv | presentation to the Design Group | Design Council | 28th July 2005

Design Council is passionate about design process and ways of understanding people, and getting more insights.

Design Improv | presentation to the Design Group | Design Council | 27th July 2005

Contents Introduction to the method How it works Benefits Case studies Summary

Design Improv | presentation to the Design Group | Design Council | 28th July 2005

Introduction Interaction Design: 1. Defining complex experiences.

2. Understanding how and why people desire to use things.

3. Multi disciplinary teams.

Design Improv | presentation to the Design Group | Design Council | 28th July 2005

Improvisation Who’s Line is it Anyway?

Rules Not ‘acting’ Playing games to solve problems

Design Improv | presentation to the Design Group | Design Council | 28th July 2005

The Rules

Design Improv | presentation to the Design Group | Design Council | 28th July 2005

How it works 1.Warm-up 2.Identify design phase 3.Select games based on goals 4.Explore problem through skits 5.Discuss & iterate 6.Warm-down Design Improv | presentation to the Design Group | Design Council | 28th July 2005

Applications (some examples) Develop scenarios Explore narrative use Align team vision Engage users at every stage of the process Explore system flow Design service structures

Design Improv | presentation to the Design Group | Design Council | 28th July 2005

Benefits Fast Fun & memorable Collaborative design method Participatory method Tests our assumptions

Design Improv | presentation to the Design Group | Design Council | 28th July 2005

Case studies 9 case studies in total Engaging public in design process Large group facilitation Service design to physical & software based interaction design

Design Improv | presentation to the Design Group | Design Council | 28th July 2005

Buddy Beads Engaging public in design process Experience without risk Improvising the code

Design Improv | presentation to the Design Group | Design Council | 27th July 2005

Live|Work Business Incubator in NE England (Quadro).

Two ideas from 1 hour session taken forward.

Design Improv | presentation to the Design Group | Design Council | 27th July 2005

Mattel Design games for kids Devising rules Generating situations Exploring kids’ mindset Process defined product Refine ideas 5 > 2

Design Improv | presentation to the Design Group | Design Council | 27th July 2005

Summary Tested with Live|Work, Mattel, designers and researchers from Interaction Design Institute Ivrea.

Design Improv | presentation to the Design Group | Design Council | 28th July 2005

Where next?

Website for the process New games Modular training tools Bespoke kits

Design Improv | presentation to the Design Group | Design Council | 27th July 2005

Summary 1. This is another tool to add to your skill-set.

2. Iterative, output focussed.

3. Powerful for the team.

4. Great for telling stories.

5. Shortcutting research to delivery.

6. The process can be the communication vehicle.

Design Improv | presentation to the Design Group | Design Council | 27th July 2005

Thanks for Listening info@nathanwaterhouse.com

Design Tools

Design Improv | presentation to the Design Group | Design Council | 28th July 2005

Design Improv | presentation to the Design Group | Design Council | 28th July 2005