Exploring and Designing Wireless City Applications by Way of Archetype User Research within a Living Lab

Authors

  • Jo Pierson IBBT Research Group SMIT - Vrije Universiteit Brussel
  • An Jacobs IBBT Research Group SMIT - Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB)
  • Katrien Dreessen IBBT Research Group SMIT - Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB)
  • Lieven De Marez IBBT Research Group MICT - Universiteit Gent (UGent)

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15847/obsOBS222008205

Keywords:

archetype user research, wireless broadband applications, technology design

Abstract

In the paper we demonstrate the process and the outcome of ‘archetype user research’ for exploring and designing wireless broadband applications in a city environment. This type of research is based on ethnographic research of a number of persons that are each purposefully selected as being an ‘archetype’ user of a number of broadly defined application ideas. The archetypical character here refers to potentially interesting socio-economic background features and city-related practices. This leads to the identification of dimensions that define the practice of a city visit. In the project being discussed in the paper (ROMAS) these qualitative data are integrated with a quantitative scanning of potential application ideas among different stakeholders. In this way two approaches of ICT user research, diffusion and domestication, are combined. The outcome of this bottom-up investigation is then coupled back to the applications ideas, leading to design suggestions based on what potential users say, do and experience in everyday life situations in the city. This fits in the current evolution to increasingly involving the user in service innovation, especially in the ‘fuzzy front end’ of the new product development process.

Author Biography

Jo Pierson, IBBT Research Group SMIT - Vrije Universiteit Brussel

Senior Researcher at SMIT (Studies on Media, Information and Telecommunication) - part of IBBT (Interdisciplinary institute for BroadBand Technology) - and holds a PhD in social science (communication studies). As Assistant Professor he lectures bachelor and master courses on socio-economic issues of the information society and on qualitative research methods at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel in the department of Communication Studies (Faculty of Arts and Philosophy). His core scientific expertise is situated in the field of innovation strategic research on the meaning and use of fixed and mobile media technologies at home, at work and in public settings. In this domain he is managing a range of national and international projects. His research focus is on involving users in the technological development process based on ethnographic study and Living Lab approach.

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Published

2008-05-26

How to Cite

Pierson, J., Jacobs, A., Dreessen, K., & De Marez, L. (2008). Exploring and Designing Wireless City Applications by Way of Archetype User Research within a Living Lab. Observatorio (OBS*), 2(2). https://doi.org/10.15847/obsOBS222008205

Issue

Vol. 2 No. 2 (2008)

Section

Articles

License

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