EVENTS
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IDSA 2008 Conference: Polar Opposites >
Phoenix, Arizona
September 10-13, 2008Chris will debunk 10 design myths at this influential industry event. Learn more.
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Design Research Conference 2008 >
Chicago, Illinois
September 19-20, 2008Lextant will attend this valuable series of meetings held at the Museum of Contemporary Art. Will you be there? Let us know.
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2008 OSU Student Spring Exhibition >
Columbus, Ohio
June 3-13, 2008Lextant’s Justine Carleton will serve as a judge in this annual present of senior thesis projects.
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“People can’t tell you what they want”—and 9 other design research myths
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We’ve heard them all before. ‘People can’t tell you what they want.”
Designers are passionate about people and hungry for that key insight that will lead to a disruptive innovation. They see an equation: research into people equals huge breakthrough. But it’s easy to become enamored with the method du jour or to “focus group it” when you need some quick info.
A little information can be a dangerous thing and the wrong process is bound to send you in the wrong direction. In short, there are many ways to do bad research. We get into trouble when we focus on the methods, not the underlying principles.
I’m developing a talk for the upcoming IDSA National Conference that will challenge 10 classic design research myths and explore key principles of design research—when to use which and what to expect from each. We’ll explore what really matters for a successful user experience research program and offer a framework of building blocks to ensure your methods are appropriate and effective.
I’m excited about the presentation, and am looking forward to the event. To learn more about when I’ll be speaking, and to register for many other terrific sessions, be sure to visit the IDSA 2008 Conference site. The theme this year is “Polar Opposites,” and it’s sure to have lots of compelling and challenging events and discussions. I hope to see you there.