From inexperienced users to co-creators: An exploration of a generative method

Abstract

One of the main challenges for improving user experience in systems and artifacts lies in how designers, development managers and IT professionals can cultivate empathy in users. The present study offers an empirical example of how inexperienced users can be involved in the early stages of design process. It examines the findings from a generative technique which employs inexperienced users as co-creators in collaboration with the designer, in a collage session during the early design stages of a mobile tablet application centred on the topic of "first aid". The findings of this study identify five ponts for eliciting users' needs. Both designers and practitioners can benefit from such knowledge. © 2014 Springer International Publishing Switzerland.