Design ImprovA new design method for gaining insights fast

Presentation to the Design Group Design Council, 28.07.05by Nathan Waterhouse

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

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 | 27th 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 | 28th July 2005

Introduction to the method

How it works

Benefits

Case studies

Summary

Contents

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

Interaction Design:

1. Defining complex experiences.

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

3. Multi disciplinary teams.

Introduction

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

Who’s Line is it Anyway?

Rules

Not ‘acting’

Playing games to solve problems

Improvisation

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

1.Warm-up

2.Identify design phase

3.Select games based on goals

4.Explore problem through skits

5.Discuss & iterate

6.Warm-down

How it works

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

Fast

Fun & memorable

Collaborative design method

Participatory method

Tests our assumptions

Benefits

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

9 case studies in total

Engaging public in design process

Large group facilitation

Service design to physical & software based interaction design

Case studies

Design Improv | presentation to the Design Group | Design Council | 27th 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 | 28th July 2005

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

Summary

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

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.

Summary

Thanks for Listening

info@nathanwaterhouse.com

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

Design Tools

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