Abstract

In this paper, a model of designer-user interaction as a socio-cultural phenomenon is proposed with the following question: how do the changes in the designer's perspective on the user's physical and social experiences lead to design refinement or design innovation sequences? Adopting Bourdieu’s theory of practice as a macro view, we interpret field as rules of action, habitus as modes of action, and practice as situated actions as they exist in the design process. Particularly, this research argues that the changes in the designer’s habitus, as a result of newly acquired knowledge from user research, entail innovation of practice and expansion of field. In addition, the concept of boundary object is considered as a micro view to discover how the designer’s research activities assist them in acquiring knowledge from various sources, and to translate / transform it across domain boundaries during the process. Two stories of user research projects on retail shopping experience design are presented as empirical evidence.

Keywords

designer-user interaction, design refinement, design innovation, theory of practice, boundary object

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Jul 1st, 12:00 AM

Designer-User Interactions for Innovative Problem Solving: A socio-cultural perspective

In this paper, a model of designer-user interaction as a socio-cultural phenomenon is proposed with the following question: how do the changes in the designer's perspective on the user's physical and social experiences lead to design refinement or design innovation sequences? Adopting Bourdieu’s theory of practice as a macro view, we interpret field as rules of action, habitus as modes of action, and practice as situated actions as they exist in the design process. Particularly, this research argues that the changes in the designer’s habitus, as a result of newly acquired knowledge from user research, entail innovation of practice and expansion of field. In addition, the concept of boundary object is considered as a micro view to discover how the designer’s research activities assist them in acquiring knowledge from various sources, and to translate / transform it across domain boundaries during the process. Two stories of user research projects on retail shopping experience design are presented as empirical evidence.

 

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