Abstract
There is a long history in design study of focusing on designers, but this does not connect well with industry and the end products of design. With the emerging importance of user experience (UX), we argue that what is needed is a new kind of design study that focuses on users, relates to the end products, and results in mutual benefits for research and practice. It is both “research-based design” and “research through design”. The design process of iCAN was used to demonstrate a new kind of design study that combines both design research and design practice. iCAN is an app used in the place of traditional tools to assist caregivers in developing the cognitive and communication skills of children with autism. The three phases of the process were UX Research, UX Design, and UX Testing. They demonstrate the inter-connection between design research and design practice, and also demonstrate the features of the new kind of design study. We believe that this is the future direction of design studies, and has benefits for both design researchers and practitioners.
Keywords
User Experience; Assistive technology; Autism; Caregivers; User Interface.
Citation
Cheng, C., Tang, H., Chien, M., Lin, N., and Chen, M. (2014) Research-based design and research through design: a case study of the improvement in the user experience of an autism caregiver using ICT, in Lim, Y., Niedderer, K., Redström, J., Stolterman, E. and Valtonen, A. (eds.), Design's Big Debates - DRS International Conference 2014, 16-19 June, Umeå, Sweden. https://dl.designresearchsociety.org/drs-conference-papers/drs2014/researchpapers/30
Research-based design and research through design: a case study of the improvement in the user experience of an autism caregiver using ICT
There is a long history in design study of focusing on designers, but this does not connect well with industry and the end products of design. With the emerging importance of user experience (UX), we argue that what is needed is a new kind of design study that focuses on users, relates to the end products, and results in mutual benefits for research and practice. It is both “research-based design” and “research through design”. The design process of iCAN was used to demonstrate a new kind of design study that combines both design research and design practice. iCAN is an app used in the place of traditional tools to assist caregivers in developing the cognitive and communication skills of children with autism. The three phases of the process were UX Research, UX Design, and UX Testing. They demonstrate the inter-connection between design research and design practice, and also demonstrate the features of the new kind of design study. We believe that this is the future direction of design studies, and has benefits for both design researchers and practitioners.