RESEARCH METHOD • SYNTHESIS / ANALYSIS TECHNIQUE • RESEARCH DELIVERABLE

44 Generative Research

Generative design exercises engage users in creative opportunities to express their feelings, dreams, needs, and desires, resulting in rich information for concept development.

Generative research opportunities are typically informed by exploratory research, and may even include similar methods, with a consistent emphasis on developing empathy for users. For example, diary studies may be carried over from exploratory research or developed specifically for generative research. These diaries may be issued as an advance probe or instrument to sensitize participants to the area of interest to the design researcher, to help prepare them for participatory exercises. Participatory methods in generative research include co-design activities—a collaborative process between user and designer—such as creative tool kits, card sorting with images or text, collages, cognitive mapping or other diagramming exercises, drawing, and flexible modeling.¹

Generative research is further distinguished between projective and constructive methods.² Early exercises are typically projective in nature, focusing on expressive exercises enabling participants to articulate thoughts, feelings, and desires that are difficult to communicate through more conventional verbal means. Furthermore, the creation of an artifact around which a participant may talk will act as a trigger for engaged and comfortable conversation. Projective methods are typically ambiguously instructed, and will include the creative range of collage, drawing, diagramming, and image-and text-based exercises.

Constructive methods such as flexible modeling will occur as a later means of concept development, once some concrete parameters are set for product ideation. The key in developing a kit of parts for exercises such as Velcro modeling is to have enough concept variables defined to constrain the field for participants and avoid overwhelming them, without limiting the candid insights that come from flexible, creative play.

A key feature of generative methods is to combine participatory exercises with verbal discussions of work in progress and participant presentations of completed creative artifacts emerging from research sessions. Analysis can then be made of both the visual collateral and transcripts. As the name implies, the focus of generative research outcomes is on the generation of design concepts and early prototype iterations, ultimately preparing for evaluation, refinement, and production.

1. Sanders, Elizabeth B.-N. “Generative Tools for Codesigning.” Collaborative Design. London: Springer-Verlag, 2000.

2. Hanington, Bruce. “Generative Research in Design Education.” Proceedings of the International Association of Societies of Design Research (IASDR). Hong Kong: 2007.