IET Technology Coffee Morning: Novice interaction designers' behaviour in different cultures

Abstract:  Designing interactive products for different cultures is challenging. The need to design products for the target end user group is well-understood in HCI and Interaction Design, and it is clear that cultural factors influence not just the design of the product itself but also the definition of usability and the process of design. The UNITE project, funded by the Leverhulme Trust, is a partnership between The Open University and Botho College in Botswana. The project is investigating novice interaction design behaviour in two cohorts of students studying the same Interaction Design module, one in the UK and one in Botswana. We aim to identify simple behaviours that can be taught to novice interaction designers from both cultural settings to improve their designs, and to identify socio-cultural factors affecting the process and product of design. Our findings will be captured in a form suitable for communication and dissemination to educators and policy makers in Botswana and the UK.

In the presentation, we will discuss the rationale for the project and outline some preliminary results. We welcome feedback on our progress and seek opportunities for further dissemination.

Date:  19th September 2012

Presenter:  Dr Mark Woodroffe and Professor Helen Sharp (MCT)

Location:  Jennie Lee Building Main Ambient Lab Ground Floor

Live Link - (Apologies, there is no live recording for this session)

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