Social Design course

20.10. - 22.10.

Observation is one of the most powerful tools in a designer's toolkit. Through direct observation of users in their natural environments, designers gain invaluable insights into behaviors, challenges, and preferences that often go unnoticed. This method is key for identifying real user needs and pain points rather than relying on assumptions.

Let's try observation method on practice...

...object - train station Biel/Bienne, cafe Spettacolo, the table outside

big traffic of people, every 5-7 min groups of people going out of the train station

this is the busiest place in the town

weather - cloudy, without rain, +16 4 PM - 5 PM

objects on the place

• train station

• info signs

• buses and bus stops

• cars (transport)

• cafes

• kiosk

• kiosk with marrons (chestnut)

sounds

• car engine

• ppl talk in different languages, mostly french

• case (bag) wheels

• trolleybus electronic sound

• cough

• ventilation from cafe

• bicycle ringing

• screeching brakes

• phone ringing

• dog barking

• bicycle chain

• cellophane rustle

• shuffling feet

• clatter of heels

• cane/umbrella sound

• small children singing

• unstable piece of concrete

smells

• car petrol

• cigarettes

• light smell of coffee

• strong perfume (changing of perfumes)

I felt uncomfortable because of a lot of sounds and loud noises.

Interesting to see the contrast between people, some are relaxed and some are in a hurry.

people

• nice man smiling and little bit dancing

• man drinking 1 glass of beer for 1 hour

• group of homeless people

• the woman conducting a crosswalk

• woman with an umbrella without the rain

• group of children singing

• teenagers group

• office workers in suits

• old woman knitting

• one guy working with the laptop

• drivers saying hello to each other

• a man that I see every day, with a music box

timing

• every 5-7 min ppl going out of the station in groups

• each number of bus goes every 12 min

• ventilation of the cafe turns on every 10 min

Interesting info https://www.slanted.de/social-design/