REIMAGINING
INTERGENERATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS AROUND DIFFICULT TOPICS.
Design Project #1
My challenge was to design a better way for an individual to communicate across generations, especially around topics that they find difficult. I identified a distinct two user group to design for: an elderly person who avoids conversations, and a queer teenager who days are filled with difficult conversations.
EMPATHY AND OBSERVATION
I asked people how they feel about their engagement with authentic communication and connection on difficult issues across generations. I was also able to practice my interviewing skills and find stories. I observed parks, and tried to find places with different generations to get alternative views. I ended up interviewing two people, Lauren, a childhood best friend, and Miranda.
FOCUS, IDEATE, AND BUILD
Identify some meaningful needs and insights from the perspective of your extreme users to create points of view (POV). I create at least two separate POVs. From these interviews I generated at 50 ideas for each of your two POVs – that’s 100 ideas including good, bad, and wild ideas! I highlighted 3-5 interesting ideas and create prototypes for at least two of them.
Prototype 1
One need that I identified was the need to have conversations when people aren't in a defensive, stressed, or angry mindset. This was a game I created that had questions (blue = easy, yellow = medium, and red = hard) and paper on the other side to fill out answers. One the answers were filled out and shared they were place in the box for safe keeping and accountability.
Prototype 2
This prototype emerged from the insight that parents aren't receiving enough support while, well, parenting. There's many book out there for new parents, but what about the seasoned ones that still need help navigating parenting. This website could connect parents in the same area, learn new issues and topics, and ask for help.
TEST AND ITERATE
Next, I took my prototypes to my users, to show and not tell. I saw how they use (and misuse) my prototypes. One iteration of my most resonant prototype idea that incorporated new insights that emerged from user testing was to specify when answers are read.
FINAL PRESENTATION AND DOCUMENTATION
I presented my idea in front of my HCD class to receive more feedback. Below is my accordion notebook where I documented the entire process.
