Raitis Linde

This is About page of my Interaction research course. Interaction research course is a general tryout for our master thesis. We can  pick up any topic that’s related to our studies and research it. As the final outcome, a paper will be written.

My topic is ‘comparisment between online and face-to-face user research tools‘. As the first step I have designed an online user research tool, that’s based on Ken Mathiasen’s thesis about Picture Quest – development of a participatory design tool that can help users to express themselves. It, as I hope, will give some valuable inspirations for game designs that I am involved in, namely, (1.) designing a prototype for electronic exertion game in User Experience Design course and (2.) designing a board game for SPIRE center in relation to PINC conference.

There is no doubt about power of face-to-face tools (interviews, workshops etc.), however, I think that online user research/participatory tools can have their share in participatory design as well. For instance in cases when participants are distributed, lack of time or, if participants don’t prefer face-to-face meetings. I aim at looking what’s different between people feelings online and in face-to-face meetings. To what extent online research tools could be used and when they are effective?

To be honest, I don’t precisely know where results from my first step will lead, and if I will be able to do any argumented claims that are directly connected to my initial topic. However, I am keeping myself open and curious If you are interested, you can follow my findings in project blog.