Observational Diary

Andrew Pichner Fapio Lai Kian Leong Lai

Design Studies

How People EatObservations – Andrew Pichner

Hypothesis• How people consume

food is largely influenced by external factors

• These observations try to recognize these factors

• There may be scope for optimization and improvement of current trends, habits and practices

TechniqueTwo separate techniques:

1. Note taking in day-to-day observation

1. Various meals at different times of the day

2. Photographing1. Interesting meals and

occurrences

Observations

• A seemingly endless scope for investigation

• Wide range of different food and utensils

• Different locations, and times

• People of all ages

• Different situations• People with company or not• Environmental influences• Time constraints

• Innumerable combinations and variations

Observations – Note Taking

Table formulated from notes taken in every day situations, observing how myself and others eat.

Observations - Photographing

AnalysisGeneral trends:

• Eating with others encourages ‘better’ table manners• Increased cutlery use• Less use of hands and improvisation

• Food is often consumed out of disposable containers and packaging when ‘on the go’• In typically ‘non-eating’ settings (i.e. train) people appear to have

difficulty, so they prefer easier to handle foods

Analysis (Continued)

• People take the lazy/easy/fast option when they can• Take-away, using hands, eating in transit

• The way in which people eat tends to be influenced by a whole range of factors and not only the desire for food

• When better eating habits are expected people will usually meet these expectations

ConclusionsEither the way in which we eat or what we eat may need to change for our modern world

• People no longer have the time or energy as they used to

• Price is extremely important, as is convenience

In its present state our eating habits are promoting an unhealthy lifestyle, therefore we should strive for change

How Backpacks Are UsedGroup Observation

• Backpacks/bags can be better tailored towards specific uses

• By observing our own usage styles and experiences any shortcomings may present themselves

Hypothesis

TechniqueThis observation was completed in two parts:

1. Photographing the contents of our backpacks, and how they’re used

2. Taking inventories of the items inside our backpacks when being used for different purposes

ObservationsThe bag designed by Nike has what Nike called Max Air straps. These pocketed little air straps makes the straps feel more comfortable for the shoulders when there is load.

Medium sized backpack designed by Nike. It has 7 storage pockets plus a laptop storage pocket inside the bag.

This pocket is used to hold drink bottles but in this case it is holding a pencilcase.

The bag has a cool storage pocket for food.

Observations (Continued)

The second pocket has a smaller netted pocket inside in which valuables are placed and protected.

The primary storage space of the bag consists of a laptop pocket. This enables the user to store their laptop safely without it moving around the backpack while on the move.

Observations - Inventory

Backpack/bag inventories taken over a period of one week.

Analysis

• Photographing our backpacks proved to be a useful tool to identify areas where our bags were used differently than they were intended • E.g. pencil case in the drink bottle holder

• Taking inventories showed that different backpacks were used, sometimes for the same purpose.

• It also showed that the bags were not specifically created for a single purpose• Even if they were, the user likes to dictate and change how it is

used

Conclusions

• Bags and backpacks may have room for more refinement and development to meet the needs of the ‘modern person’

• Perhaps a modular system would be useful as peoples needs and requirements are constantly changing

• Contrastingly, bags and backpacks could be created even more specifically to hone in on what people use them for

How Remote Controls Are UsedKian Leong Lai

What Was Observed• General layout of a TV remote

• How people (adults/teenagers/children) used it• Sitting• Standing• Lying down

• Different ways they held the remotes

• Remote placement before and after watching TV

• Where remotes were misplaced

General Layout

Ways In Which Remotes Were Held

1. Two Hands 2. One Hand

3. One HandShuffle up and down, only top half of remote

Discoveries• Cleaner environment, less likely to misplace/lose remote

• Less people reduces chances of losing remote

• Kids and teenagers are more likely to lose remote

• Having children using the TV increases chances of losing remote

• People use one hand to change channel when they know what channel they want

• People use 2 hands if they are flicking through multiple channels to find a suitable channel

• Adults are more likely to keep in mind where they place remote

• Lazier people or people who are in comfortable positions tend to press remote while its on a surface when changing channels

Discoveries (Continued)• People coming home from work/school tend to turn on remote and toss

it on couch

• Older people tend to place remote near them; on arm chair or stick in between seats

• Places where they lose remote include in blankets, under couch, on the floor or on kitchen tables

• Three(3) ways people held their remotes

• Majority of people turned TV on whilst standing, before they sit

• People who turn away from TV tend to use one hand to turn on TV

• People who stand and face TV use two hand method to turn on TV

Discoveries (Continued)Places where people put remotes• Sitting

• Next to them on seat• Squeezed in between couch seats• On arm chair

• Laying down• Next to their head• Squeezed in between couch seats• On floor near head

• No one used smart TV (NetCast for LG TV)• They didn’t know how to use it• They don’t see the point in having it

Remote Loses Per Week

   (-) indicates number of members

Family 1 (8) Family 2 (2) Family 3 (4) Family 4 (5) 6 2 4 4

Family 1: consists of 6 adults (4male, 2female) 2 children (1male, 1female)Family 2: consists of 2 adults (1male, 1female)Family 3: consists of 2 adults (1male, 1female) 2 children (2male)Family 4: consists of 3 adults (1male, 2female) 2 teenagers (1male, 1female)

ConclusionsThree out of four families used protective covers

had helped protect the buttons from being worn out from excessive usage.

Either using glad wrap or the plastic that the remote came in.

The last family did not use a cover which resulted in worn out buttons.

How Laptops Are UsedFapio Lai

Most Popular

• Most Popular Brands

• Most Popular Programs

Laptop Use

• How people use their laptops

• Personal Preferences

Laptop Use (Continued)

• How people transport their laptop

• Average Use

• Protection (cases, covers etc.)

Thank-you for listening!