A 40 minute talk about the problems of usability testing using Social Psychology ideas of treatment of participants, places and roles. Presented at User Centered Design conference in London in October 2016. Presenting examples of new practice using props and narrative to increase participant confidence, connect people more strongly to their memories and communities and to enable them to control place and space. A user centered approach to usability testing that de-privileges researchers so as to discover more. An approach based on vulnerability and openess that uses ideas from post-colonial research and disability rights.

1. MAKING PEOPLE OUT OF
PARTICIPANTS
Respecting and
strengthening self-identity
in usability testing

2. Alastair Somerville
@acuity_design

3. Self control

4. Marshmallows

6. Schema

7. Self belief
Belief in self

8. My work

9. Sensory design
projects

11. I am a professional
I am not a user

12. Usability

14. Stronger people
Better understanding

15. User Testing &
Labs

16. Social psychology

17. Prison

19. Control

21. A cell

22. A prisoner

23. The participant

24. The user

25. The individual

26. Making people of
participants

27. Being human is not
being an individual

28. Human centred

29. Human at the centre of
networks of relationships

30. Centred with:
people
places
tools

38. Recognise
relationships

39. Recognise the spaces
between us

40. How?

41. Conversation

42. Conversation
is hard

43. Empathy

44. Empathy
is hard

45. Alternatives?

46. Objects
Props
Symbols

47. De-privileging roles

48. Teenagers

49. Rickter Board

50. Person
Professio
nal

52. Person
Professio
nal
Prop

53. Older people

54. Home
Instruction
s
Yes
No
Work
List
Drink
Medical
Meal ShoppingTransport
Time Hope Love
Music TV/PC Radio Book

56. Perspectives

57. INDIGENOUS
RESEARCH
METHODOLOGIE
S
BAGELA CHILISA

58. Dingaka

61. Loneliness

62. Mesh

64. Usability testing

66. Not that

67. Cards

68. CardsCigarette

70. People

71. PeopleLots of

74. Life stories

76. Device usability

78. Results

79. Gosh

80. Moving house in later life
to maintain happiness

81. Houses

83. Own devices

85. Future

86. Use props to enable
people to take control
from you

88. Use personal narratives to
understand networks

89. Trust people

90. Let go of space

91. Let go of control

92. Be vulnerable

93. Let people be people

94. Thank you

95. Alastair
@acuity_design