Iterative Design Strategies

1. Proposal for the solution scenario based on research findings (personas & improvisation)
2. Exploration and development of concepts/scenarios; Analyzing and the testing outcomes
3. Refining and adjusting the solution for the audience, context and technologies in use

Definitions:

personas

These are scenarios or profiles created to inspire and guide design; typically visual and textual descriptions; ideally they are a result of studying real people

improvisation

The practice of acting and reacting, of making and creating, in the moment and in response to the stimulus of one’s immediate environment. This can result in the invention of new thought patterns, new practices, new structures or symbols, and/or new ways to act. This invention cycle occurs most effectively when the practitioner has a thorough intuitive or technical understanding of the necessary skills and concerns within the improvised domain.

Assignment

1. Create a persona: Each student will bring to class a single  sheet which holds all the information below, creating a complete persona identity for a fictitious individual who is affected by your problem. This should be based on your understanding of the problem and those affected by the problem to date. Using the Design Studies reading from Pruitt & Grudin (pg 311-332)- as a model, using a combination of text and image, your assignment is to create a persona founded on the following
   • personal characteristics
   • age
   • life goals
   • fears
   • typical activities
   • general lifestyle statement/description demonstrating connections of relevancy to the problem
   • photo