Keitai

A great interview with Jan Chipchase from the folks at the Convivio Network (”a Thematic network of researchers and practitioners from many backgrounds (computer science, human sciences, design, business) developing a broad discipline of human-centered design of digital systems for everday life.”)

A few notable passages…

The extent to which the research team spends time in context is an issue I struggle with even on something as seemingly routine as deciding where to stay during a field study. Our default accommodation is often a multi-national hotel chain with everything that that entails, but except for the financial elites in many of those societies you’re cut off from the people you’re researching. But on the other hand to function effectively the team needs to work from a safe, clean environment that supports interaction with team members, home bases and the other people that are part of our working lives. These demands create conflicting needs. My ideal situation is to book locally owned guest houses situated close to the communities where the research takes place though it doesn’t always work out that way.

This is probably a good point to raise the issue of cultural translation. Access to situations and contexts is important but how do you know you’re drawing the right conclusions?….

….Some things are obvious, it’s just that no-one has looked or asked those questions in that context before. Assuming that the research findings are both new and relevant to the client’s interests, one of the highest compliments is when they say “that’s so obvious now”. The comment suggests that we’ve picked up on behaviors that are subtle enough to be largely invisible but common enough to be understood….

Some great points. As someone who has travelled and worked on the road from odd locations with silly amounts of gear, i’ve often been frustrated by how high maintenance you become for need of reliable internet access, non-flaky power, air-con, and a place to lock up your laptop(s) at night. In an every-day ‘man on the street’ research context, i’m sure this can be even more frustrating.

Actually, a mid-range serviced apartment (fancy name for cleaning 3 times a week and satelitte TV) like the one we’re in can be a nice alternative in some cities. At least you can stay in a local neighbourhood, take public transit downtown, eat at the neighbourhood joints and get stuck in the rain like everyone else. And you don’t have to plan ahead to do it

Great article. Well worth a read!