Design strategist and researcher Tanya Rabourn discusses the role of ethnographic research in understanding diverse cultures for effective design strategies. She shares her experiences in UX design and research worldwide, highlighting the importance of human-centered design. Tanya explores designing innovation centers for refugees, navigating language and cultural dynamics in research, and reflecting on costs and benefits in design projects.
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Quick takeaways
Ethnography in design uncovers cultural practices to inspire new services and design ideas.
Ethnographic insights inform tailored solutions by identifying user needs, aspirations, and skills.
Deep dives
Exploring Ethnography in Design Projects
Ethnography plays a crucial role in design projects by studying practices and cultures to understand users' needs and aspirations. It involves observing how different cultures engage in practices, providing insights that can inspire new design ideas and services through methods like observation and interviewing.
Impact of Ethnographic Insights on Design
Ethnographic insights influence design projects by identifying users' needs, pain points, aspirations, and delights. These insights inspire new services or designs beyond digital systems, such as creating innovation centers for refugees based on their skills, activities, and aspirations, leading to tailored and impactful solutions.
Cultural Observations in Information Environment
Cultural differences influence how people organize information, seen through experiences like grocery shopping in various countries. Collaboration and trust are essential for remote work success, emphasizing sharing early and openly. Globalized design practices sometimes impose outside frameworks, potentially overshadowing local design approaches, and stressing the importance of understanding cultural nuances in design processes.
My guest today is Tanya Rabourn. Tanya is a design strategist and researcher based in Dubai. Her focus is on service innovation for social impact. In this conversation, we discuss the role of ethnographic research in understanding the people and cultures served by design.