Ethnography for UX

As a proven way to uncover the shared values, beliefs and practices that inform the decisions we make and the actions we take as social beings, we are poised for a resurgence of interest in design ethnography for interaction design. This new interest is being driven by the designer’s increasing concerns for:

- Context – as computing expands beyond the desktop, 
- Emotion – as we seek new ways of evaluating satisfaction and engagement, and 
- Behavior – as the explicit goal of behavior change becomes more critical to design practice.

WORKSHOP OBJECTIVES
This workshop will begin in the studio with an overview of ethnography and common ethnographic techniques in the context of design. We will discuss traditional and emerging digital approaches to ethnography. Next we’ll divide into teams to give workshop participants the opportunity to put these principles into practice as we venture out into the city to conduct our “fieldwork.” Following our short period of participant observation with the “urban natives” we will return to the studio and discuss what we learned. Finally, we will discuss how to apply what we learned to problems of design and brainstorm ideas on opportunities for products, services, and other interventions that could fit into the lives of our subjects.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND
- UX professionals
- People interested in ethnography as it relates to UX

WHAT YOU WILL DO
This workshop will begin in the studio with an overview of ethnography and common ethnographic techniques in the context of design. We will discuss traditional and emerging digital approaches to ethnography. Next we’ll divide into teams to give workshop participants the opportunity to put these principles into practice as we venture out into the city to conduct our “fieldwork.” Following our short period of participant observation with the “urban natives” we will return to the studio and discuss what we learned. Finally, we will discuss how to apply what we learned to problems of design and brainstorm ideas on opportunities for products, services, and other interventions that could fit into the lives of our subjects.

 
WHAT YOU WILL GET OUT OF IT
Whether or not you currently employ up-front research in your design process, this workshop will show how to embrace ethnographic principles in the work you do to improve your ability to:

- Build empathy for the people who engage with the products and services you create 
- Improve understanding of the reasons that people use your products and services the way they do 
- Identify opportunities for new products or services or for improvements to those that already exist

AGENDA

9:30 – Networking
10:00 – Overview of ethnographic methodology, description of assignment (in the studio)
11:15 – Q&A and snacks 
11:30 – Ethnographic fieldwork (out in the city)
1:30 – Lunch and discussion: Analysis and synthesis
3:00 – Q&A and closing

WHEN
Saturday, November 12th 2011
10am - 3pm

WHERE

The Ladders
137 Varick Street
3rd Floor
New York, NY 10013
Map

PRICE
$25

The workshop is limited to 20 people. You will need an ID and be on the RSVP list in order to be allowed upstairs to the event.

IMPORTANT!! Participant slots are limited, so you must have a ticket to attend. Please only RSVP if you know you can attend.

Cancellations: Please email us (nyc.ixda@gmail.com) as soon as you know you cannot use your ticket. We'll release your seat for one of your fellow practitioners and generate good IxD karma for all involved! Cancellations must be received by Wednesday Oct. 12th at noon in order to receive a refund

ABOUT OUR PRESENTER
John Payne is a principal at Moment and leads the Experience Design and Strategy practice. He has been a practicing designer for more than twenty years and for the past twelve has been focused on digital product design and user-centered innovation. In addition to his work at Moment, John has taught and lectured on design to graduates and undergraduates at Pratt, Parsons, and NYU. He currently serves as co-chair of EPIC (Ethnographic Praxis in Industry Conference) and is planning the next annual gathering for the fall of 2012. John earned his Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design from Auburn University and his Master’s of Design from the Institute of Design at IIT.

ABOUT OUR HOST
TheLadders is an online service that connects career-driven professionals with the jobs and employers that are right for them.

TheLadders has been committed to finding the right person for the right job since 2003. With a unique suite of personalized products and resume services, this career-focused online service helps job seekers connect with employers and recruiters more effectively and efficiently. Given its heritage as the leader in the $100K+ job search, TheLadders is dedicated to the science behind the job search and optimally positioned to help all career-driven professionals in finding the right jobs. Visit TheLadders website to learn more.

ABOUT IxDA
IxDA’s mission is to improve the human condition by advancing the discipline of Interaction Design. To do this, we foster a community of people that choose to come together to support this intention. IxDA relies on individual initiative, contribution, sharing and self-organization as the primary means for us to achieve our goals. IxDA comprises over 10,000 members, and many meet at events like this one in over 80 locations worldwide. If you or your friends are based in the suburbs or further from New York, you can find contact information for other local groups on the ixda.org site.