When gathering insights, consider the following approaches, including methods like co-design.
Prioritize real user feedback early and often
Direct engagement with your target users is critical.
Employ discovery-oriented methods
Use methods such as co-design early in the process to understand user visions and fundamental needs without the bias of existing prototypes. Encourage participants to share their ideal solutions and workflows.
Benefits and challenges of co-designing
Co-design is a collaborative and iterative process that makes the experiences of key users integral to creating more effective, user-centered designs.
Benefits of co-designing include:
- More relevant solutions: designs are more likely to address real needs and fit the context of use.
- Increased user acceptance and ownership: users are more likely to adopt and champion solutions they helped create.
- Empowerment and capacity building: participants gain new skills and confidence, and designers develop a deeper understanding of user needs.
- Innovation: diverse perspectives often lead to more creative and unexpected solutions.
- Reduced risk of failure: identifying potential issues and usability problems early on through continuous user involvement.
Challenges of co-designing include:
- Time and resource intensive: engaging many people requires significant time and resources for planning, facilitation, and analysis.
- Requires skilled facilitation: managing group dynamics, enabling equitable participation, and synthesizing diverse input requires expertise.
- Managing expectations: clearly defining the scope and influence of participants is crucial to avoid frustration.
- Logistical complexities: coordinating schedules and providing accessible venues can be challenging.