Speed Dating Iterations
“Speed Dating structures multiple lightweight comparisons between widely-different application strategies, or multiple varieties of a single contextualized application.”
Davidoff S., Lee M.K., Dey A.K., Zimmerman J. (2007) Rapidly Exploring Application Design Through Speed Dating. In: Krumm J., Abowd G.D., Seneviratne A., Strang T. (eds) UbiComp 2007: Ubiquitous Computing.
Definition
Speed dating iterations can be a rapid, concise, and easy way to get direct feedback on a design’s context.
Type
User research
Context
Co-design
Iterations are drawn directly onto my storyboard.
Procedure
1. Write down five key words that describe the context of a design scenario.
2. Give the scenario a title.
3. Sketch a storyboard illustrating how the concept would play out in real life.
4. Ask a partner to spend three minutes reviewing the storyboard and adding any changes based on the key words. Once the three minutes are up they have to finish.
5. Give the storyboard to another person and ask them to also draw or write any additions he or she sees fit. Repeat this process until enough ideas are expressed.
Use Case
To better understand the context of an e-waste disposal scenario, I used speed dating iterations with several of my peers. To do this, I drew a story showing the thoughts and feelings of someone who breaks their phone and then disposes it into an e-waste container. The story related to five key words I wrote out on top.
The iterations from my speed dating exercise revealed three pieces of contextual information:
How can it be enforced by law?
How can I educate people to do this?
How can people dispose e-waste from their homes?
Data Analysis
Similar to what-if scenarios, speed dating iterations create data points as it gets completed.
To interpret the drawings, I asked for elaboration if I needed it. The point is to obtain concise feedback based on people’s initial reactions. If done correctly, it should bring to view situational factors that will later require an appropriate strategy.
The five key words also helped my participants prioritize what to focus on for their iterations, such as considering accessibility as a main point. This gave more meaning behind the purpose of the iterations.