Short answer
When co-designing with users who may have limited prior design experience or specific contextual constraints, providing them with a framework to adapt and modify existing concepts, supported by tangible visualization tools like physical prototypes, yields richer and more actionable insights than open-ended ideation.
- Field
- User-Centred Design
- Source
- Building Research & Information (2020)
- Method
- Comparative study of participatory design workshops
- Sample
- 161 participants
- Evidence
- Strong effect
Involving displaced populations in shelter design through an 'adapt-a-design' approach, supported by physical prototypes, leads to more effective engagement and better capture of user needs compared to self-directed design or less tangible visualization tools. This user-centred design research insight is drawn from a 2020 study published in Building Research & Information. Using Comparative study of participatory design workshops with 161 participants, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: When co-designing with users who may have limited prior design experience or specific contextual constraints, providing them with a framework to adapt and modify existing concepts, supported by tangible visualization tools like physical prototypes, yields richer and more actionable insights than open-ended ideation.
Adapt-a-Design Method with Physical Prototypes Enhances Refugee Shelter Co-creation
Involving displaced populations in shelter design through an 'adapt-a-design' approach, supported by physical prototypes, leads to more effective engagement and better capture of user needs compared to self-directed design or less tangible visualization tools.
Building Research & Information · 2020
Key Findings
- 01The 'adapt-a-design' method stimulated more dialogue and was more informative than 'design-your-own'.
- 02Physical prototypes were most effective at facilitating engagement in shelter modifications.
- 03Virtual reality was best at communicating scale and size.
- 04Computer models were least effective at communicating design concepts.
Application
Design takeaway
When co-designing with users who may have limited prior design experience or specific contextual constraints, providing them with a framework to adapt and modify existing concepts, supported by tangible visualization tools like physical prototypes, yields richer and more actionable insights than open-ended ideation.
How to apply
When undertaking a design project involving user feedback, consider offering users a set of well-developed base designs to modify, and use physical mock-ups or prototypes to facilitate detailed discussions about potential changes.
Project actions
- 01When conducting user research, consider offering participants a starting point or a set of options to react to, rather than a blank slate.
- 02Experiment with different visualization methods (e.g., sketches, 3D models, physical mock-ups) to see which best communicates your design ideas to your target users.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Large sample size across multiple workshops.
- +Direct comparison of multiple methods and tools.
- +Focus on a critical real-world application.
Limitations
The effectiveness of visualization tools can depend on the users' familiarity with technology and the fidelity of the models used. The 'design-your-own' method might be more effective for highly creative or experienced users.
Reliability & validity
The study's reliability is supported by the large number of participants and workshops. Validity is enhanced by directly comparing different methods and tools within the same context, though the specific implementation of each tool could introduce variability.
Think critically
How might the cultural background or prior experiences of the refugee participants have influenced their engagement with different design methods and visualization tools?
Design Principles
"For complex or context-specific design challenges, user engagement is maximized when they are presented with well-defined options to modify, rather than being asked to generate entirely novel concepts, especially when supported by appropriate visualization tools."
Designing for vulnerable populations requires deep understanding and genuine collaboration. This research highlights that the method of engagement and the tools used significantly impact the quality of user input, directly affecting the socio-cultural compatibility and occupant satisfaction of the final built environment.
What This Means for Your Design
If you're designing something for people in a difficult situation, like a shelter for refugees, it's better to show them some existing designs and ask them to change those, rather than asking them to invent something completely new. Using physical models helps them give feedback on changes, and VR is good for showing size.
How to use in your project
- 1.Reference this study when justifying the choice of user research methodology, particularly if using an 'adapt-a-design' approach or comparing different visualization tools.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
The effectiveness of participatory design in capturing user needs is significantly influenced by the chosen methodology and visualization tools. Research by Albadra et al. (2020) indicates that an 'adapt-a-design' approach, where users modify existing concepts, fosters greater engagement and yields more informative feedback compared to a 'design-your-own' method. Furthermore, the study highlights the differential impact of visualization tools, with physical prototypes proving superior for detailed modification feedback and virtual reality excelling at conveying scale, suggesting that the selection of appropriate tools is critical for successful co-design processes.
Source
Building Research & Information
Participatory design in refugee camps: comparison of different methods and visualization tools
journal · 2020
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about adapt-a-design method with physical prototypes enhances refugee shelter co-creation?
- When co-designing with users who may have limited prior design experience or specific contextual constraints, providing them with a framework to adapt and modify existing concepts, supported by tangible visualization tools like physical prototypes, yields richer and more actionable insights than open-ended ideation. Evidence: Building Research & Information (2020).
- Why does "Adapt-a-Design Method with Physical Prototypes Enhances Refugee Shelter Co-creation" matter for design?
- Designing for vulnerable populations requires deep understanding and genuine collaboration. This research highlights that the method of engagement and the tools used significantly impact the quality of user input, directly affecting the socio-cultural compatibility and occupant satisfaction of the final built environment.
- How can designers apply this research?
- When co-designing with users who may have limited prior design experience or specific contextual constraints, providing them with a framework to adapt and modify existing concepts, supported by tangible visualization tools like physical prototypes, yields richer and more actionable insights than open-ended ideation.
- What were the main findings?
- The 'adapt-a-design' method stimulated more dialogue and was more informative than 'design-your-own'.. Physical prototypes were most effective at facilitating engagement in shelter modifications.. Virtual reality was best at communicating scale and size.. Computer models were least effective at communicating design concepts.
- What research method was used?
- Comparative study of participatory design workshops with 161 participants.
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2020 journal from Building Research & Information.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When undertaking a design project involving user feedback, consider offering users a set of well-developed base designs to modify, and use physical mock-ups or prototypes to facilitate detailed discussions about potential changes.
- What are the limitations?
- The study focused on shelter design in refugee camps; findings may vary for other contexts or user groups. The specific types of computer models and VR used might influence their effectiveness.