Short answer
Design experiences that acknowledge and support users' intrinsic need for self-expression and identity construction, rather than solely focusing on functional utility.
- Field
- User-Centred Design
- Source
- Frontiers in Psychology (2017)
- Method
- Ethnographic and netnographic research
- Evidence
- Moderate effect
Selfie-taking in museums is a complex behavior used by individuals to construct and communicate narratives about themselves, reflecting deeper aspects of identity and self-reflection. This user-centred design research insight is drawn from a 2017 study published in Frontiers in Psychology. Using Ethnographic and netnographic research, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Design experiences that acknowledge and support users' intrinsic need for self-expression and identity construction, rather than solely focusing on functional utility.
Museum selfies are a form of identity work, not just narcissism.
Selfie-taking in museums is a complex behavior used by individuals to construct and communicate narratives about themselves, reflecting deeper aspects of identity and self-reflection.
Frontiers in Psychology · 2017
Key Findings
- 01Selfies are used for ongoing narrative construction of the self.
- 02Museums act as stages for performative identity work.
- 03Museum selfies can be categorized into distinct types (e.g., art interactions, blending into art, mirror selfies, silly/clever selfies, contemplative selfies, iconic selfies).
- 04Selfie-taking in museums goes beyond narcissism, serving purposes of self-reflection and communication.
Application
Design takeaway
Design experiences that acknowledge and support users' intrinsic need for self-expression and identity construction, rather than solely focusing on functional utility.
How to apply
When designing a social media feature or an interactive installation, consider how users might use it to tell their own stories and present aspects of their identity.
Project actions
- 01When researching user behavior, look for underlying motivations beyond the obvious.
- 02Consider how users 'perform' their identity through their interactions with a product or service.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Provides a nuanced, non-pathologizing perspective on selfie culture.
- +Integrates theoretical frameworks (identity work, dramaturgy) with empirical observation.
Limitations
It can be difficult to definitively prove a user's internal 'identity work' through observation alone.
Reliability & validity
Reliability could be enhanced through inter-rater agreement on categorizing selfie types. Validity is supported by the use of established theoretical frameworks and diverse research methods (ethnography and netnography).
Think critically
To what extent can the 'identity work' observed in museum selfies be considered a conscious, deliberate act versus an unconscious expression?
Design Principles
"Design for narrative self-expression."
Understanding the motivations behind user-generated content, such as museum selfies, can inform how designers create interactive experiences and digital platforms that resonate with users' desires for self-expression and connection. This insight moves beyond superficial interpretations to reveal the nuanced ways people engage with their environment and present themselves.
What This Means for Your Design
Taking selfies in places like museums is a way people show and figure out who they are, like acting out a part of their life story.
How to use in your project
- 1.Use this research to justify investigating the deeper motivations behind user interactions in your design project, rather than just observing their actions.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
This study highlights that user engagement with digital and physical spaces often serves as a form of 'identity work,' where individuals construct and communicate narratives about themselves. Understanding these deeper motivations, as seen in the context of museum selfies, is crucial for designing experiences that resonate with users on a personal level.
Source
Frontiers in Psychology
Self in Art/Self As Art: Museum Selfies As Identity Work
journal · 2017
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about museum selfies are a form of identity work, not just narcissism?
- Design experiences that acknowledge and support users' intrinsic need for self-expression and identity construction, rather than solely focusing on functional utility. Evidence: Frontiers in Psychology (2017).
- Why does "Museum selfies are a form of identity work, not just narcissism." matter for design?
- Understanding the motivations behind user-generated content, such as museum selfies, can inform how designers create interactive experiences and digital platforms that resonate with users' desires for self-expression and connection. This insight moves beyond superficial interpretations to reveal the nuanced ways people engage with their environment and present themselves.
- How can designers apply this research?
- Design experiences that acknowledge and support users' intrinsic need for self-expression and identity construction, rather than solely focusing on functional utility.
- What were the main findings?
- Selfies are used for ongoing narrative construction of the self.. Museums act as stages for performative identity work.. Museum selfies can be categorized into distinct types (e.g., art interactions, blending into art, mirror selfies, silly/clever selfies, contemplative selfies, iconic selfies).. Selfie-taking in museums goes beyond narcissism, serving purposes of self-reflection and communication.
- What research method was used?
- Ethnographic and netnographic research.
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2017 journal from Frontiers in Psychology.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When designing a social media feature or an interactive installation, consider how users might use it to tell their own stories and present aspects of their identity.
- What are the limitations?
- The study's focus on museums may not generalize to all selfie-taking contexts; the subjective nature of identity work can be challenging to quantify.