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A CaT is a tool to help facilitate the practice of Inclusive Design. It’s goal is to engage a “full diversity of potential users”, a key principle [Insights] in the practice of Inclusive Design, in the design process. In essence, a CaT is a diverse community of co-designers (or co-creators) brought together to contribute to the collective design of a system, product or service. Inclusive Design practices include: accessibility integration from the start, open work, a focus on functional needs and preferences, frequent testing, inclusive facilitation, design for adaptability and flexibility and design for uncertainty.
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Personas (behavioural models of potential stakeholders) are created by "considering the needs, interests and daily tasks of non-obvious or untraditional users helps a design team to think broadly and stay open to unpredicted uses of the systems they are creating" (source of this quote?). However, personas as sole user-representation can lead to stereotyping or the fictionalization of an non-traditional user. A CaT aims to counter-balance representations (like personas) with the the understanding that individual stories don't represent the voice of the user, they are the voice of the user. Therefore, participant stories are fundamental to the practices of co-design and inclusive design.
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While it is desirable to have a broad problem space and scope, there will need to be some structure to help participants. Without some structure in place, the process may be chaotic, participants confused or feeling intimidated, and the outcomes may not be as useful. To bring some order and help focus the collaboration, create one or more scenario scenarios in which participants will
- Some structure is needed to help guide the experience
- Do some dry runs / rehearsals with colleagues to identify possible shortcomings - address those as necessary
Step 3:
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work from.
In the museum gift shop example one possible scenario might be "It is a school trip day at the museum and the museum is busier than usual, what are some ways to draw visitors into the gift shop?".
The number of scenarios will largely depend on the problem, the number of participants, and the available time.
It is recommended that some dry runs of the scenarios be done to strike the right balance between collaboration, reflection, and fun.
Step 3: Find some participants
The goal of the CaT is to generate a variety of participant stories and perspectives. Therefore aim for participation from a broad audience not just the people who fit the contextual definition of "average" - find participants from a spectrum of ages, gender, vocation, cultures, and ability.
Step : Communication
- Give sufficient detail and time and correspondence.
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- Observe and facilitate co-creation
- Record with video and photos (consent required)
- Participants themselves can also be given tools and opportunity to document their thoughts and observations
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- Give opportunity to individuals to reflect and document their personal "stories", designs, thoughts using multiple modalities (some examples may include scribbing/drawing, keyboard typing, voice recording or voice to text. https://guide.inclusivedesign.ca/practices/CommunicateMultimodally.html)
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- Give opportunity for individuals and groups to refine and iterate on their ideas.
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- Give opportunity for groups and individuals to inspire each other through the presention of ideas.
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- Ensure the pacing is sufficient, with appropriate breaks.
- Don't try to do too much. Be respectful of time.
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- Build a good relationship with participants to allow for future opportunities
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