This document summarizes an interview with two women, S and B, about various do-it-yourself (DIY) projects they had undertaken in their home. The projects ranged from repurposing furniture for new uses to building a patio couch from pallets. S enjoys large DIY projects that serve multiple purposes. The interview explored their mental models and motivations for the projects, which included saving money, personal enjoyment of creating things, and fitting their aesthetic vision for their home. Key tools mentioned were a reciprocating power saw and leftover "oops" paint. Their approach emphasized gathering supplies inexpensively and completing projects quickly. Both the process and finished projects were important to them.

1. ASSIGNMENT 3 | Resourcefulness of Everyday Design
I 543 Interaction Design Method
|
Zan Morris, Melissa Tang

2. CONTENTS
CONTENTS
Page
Basic Information
1
Participants’ Mental Models
2
Tools and Terminology
3
Methods
4
Goals
5
Values
6
Design Implication
7-8

3. Basic
INFORMATION
Date: Feb 9, 2014
Our interview took place early Sunday afternoon in the participant’s home. Participant #1 (S) - 28, female, and a
Sales Consultant - enjoys large-scale DIY projects, many of which are interspersed throughout their home and
serve a wide variety of purposes. Her partner, participant #2 (B) - 35, female, Owner of a local hair salon - was also
present to help, and was the initial contact.
They began by giving us a quick tour of their home, and showed off several projects they had worked on. Although these were initially only different types of repurposed furniture, it became clear that S’s DIY spirit permeated the home and had manifested in many large-scale projects. We investigated tools, values and reasoning behind
these projects primarily. We also did not focus on one project alone.
Given these projects, and the ideas and timeframe behind them, we were unable to observe them in the context
of building - however, they were very friendly and generous with providing details and stories about each of the
projects.
I 543 Interaction Design Method | The Meanning of Comfort | Interview | Melissa Tang
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4. Participants’
MENTAL MODELS
S and B have many different reasons and therefore
many different ways of understanding the repurposing
projects. From utility as seen in a cedar chest enclosing
a cat-box(see figure 1) to the aesthetics of a cigarette
shelf repurposed to be a bookcase(see figure 2), to the
combination in the relaxing patio couch(see figure 3),
repurposing or undertaking DIY projects has become a
way for them to reimagine their home. Along with this
come money-saving and the feeling of accomplishment.
figure 1
figure 2
figure 3
For the patio, S undertook construction of a couch built
from pallets, as inspired by images seen on Pinterest.
Although we could see the materials gathered on the
porch, finally getting the pallets after many attempts,
cutting them down to size, and finding cushions to fit
was only the part of the idea. Now that it’s completed
they enjoy many evenings lounging outside, where they
are able to entertain guests, play with their dogs, and
simply relax. For S and B, these DIY projects are more
than that - they’ve become part of the everyday.
I 543 Interaction Design Method | The Meanning of Comfort | Interview | Melissa Tang
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5. TOOLS & TERMINOLOGY
“This thing I use for everything. It’s just so easy.” - S (On
the Sawzall)
Due to the everyday nature of these projects little in the way
of special terminology arose. This only happened when talking
about specific tools used for a project. “Sawzall” was used to
refer to a large reciprocating power saw, which S cited as one
of her main go-to tools for projects. She mentioned specifically
that it was used for cutting pallets for the patio couch, as well
as cutting out the hole in the Catbox-Cedar Chest.
The other term which arose frequently was “Oops” Paint, which
meant a paint available when a paint mixing has gone awry and
the color didn’t match the customer’s order. These paints are
especially low-cost, although limiting in selection.
However, beyond these two, tools used were task or project
specific, and picked up to fit the project, not the other way
around. Putty was used to fill in holes left in a shelf which had
been repurposed from a cigarette stand, needle and thread
were used for a cushion in the dining room, which happened to
match the “wallpaper” in a nearby cabinet (which was in fact
wrapping paper, held on with staples).
Tools they use when they hack funitures.
I 543 Interaction Design Method | Resourcefulness of Everyday Design | Zan Morris, Melissa Tang
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6. METHODS
“It’s always like … ahh I wish we had this thing. And it’s like how can we make that happen without
spending a million dollars on things the dogs can mess up or the cats will scratch.” - S
Although we were unable to observe the methods used in construction, we were able to get a good idea about
how these DIY projects are set in motion.
Plans were first, and came with a defining aesthetic vision. The ideas themselves came from a variety of sources
- some digital such as Pinterest or Houzz, and some from the physical medium itself (In particular S spoke about
liking ‘the shape’ of the cigarette holder). Then came a step of gathering supplies, with special focus here on finding used, or budget items. The aforementioned ‘Oops Paint’ and used furniture from a local source were commonly used. Finally, the project begins. Ideally for S a project will be a single instance of work, completed quickly. Most
projects take a day, with the patio (one of the longest to date) taking a week.
Part of this process is a quick subjective judgment whether or not the finished form is conforming to the initial
defining vision. Most of the projects passed this test and were successful, though one, trying to build a kitty condo
for rambunctious cats was met with laughter and derision. “I think more than anything it was hideous. It was an
embarrassment…” -S
I 543 Interaction Design Method | Resourcefulness of Everyday Design | Zan Morris, Melissa Tang
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7. GOALS
“I like to have a goal first. An idea of what I want, and then I’ll go see if it’s available.” - S
Goals for each project were not fixed, but arose in situation depending on the specific project. For instance, the
Cedar chest in the bedroom was focused primarily on utility - allowing the shy cat to stay in the bedroom, while
reducing the smell and allowing the catbox to coexist simultaneously with the bed. However, many of the pieces were focused on the aesthetics of the pieces themselves. The Wrapping-paper wall-paper and the matching
cushion were made specifically to fit into the look of the Dining Room (Which was itself completely re-done with
“Oops Paint” and pictures with plastic frames from Goodwill painted Gold and Silver).
The Patio Couch project, one of the longest yet, a combination of these factors, both intended to beautify their
front porch, as well as give them a space to spend their time during nice weather.
I 543 Interaction Design Method | Resourcefulness of Everyday Design | Zan Morris, Melissa Tang
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8. VALUES
“I’m such a perfectionist that I could never take on a project like that, because I don’t feel like trust
my knowledge. So it’s taken me years to trust her in doing them, because she’s a totally different person. She just gets it done quick and doesn’t care about all the little details, because you can change
the details afterwards. So it’s kinda been a good learning experience for me.” - B
Many values emerged throughout, ranging from the simple and material to more emotional. On the surface was a
desire for creating these pieces cheaply. B says that in many cases she’ll find something for $60, but S will instead see a project, and challenge herself to do it in order to save money. The caveat however is that fitting the
projects into their overall aesthetic of the house be important, and therefore the finished work needs to fit a vision
- a clear taste in shape and form, carefully free of clutter.
Of most interest were the personal motivations. S spoke about starting her DIY craft as she grew up in an old
farmhouse. She learned from her parents as they began project after project to fix up the place - her father always
bringing home pieces that might be useful, and her mother a jack of all trades. The design of the interior of the
living room itself had been partially inspired by colorful wedding photos from Mexico, and the room itself takes on
a similar bright and vibrant inviting feeling. The design of the patio couch is delightful and inviting as well, and one
could imagine its comfort on a warm summers night.
Finally, there was a value in simply doing the work itself. Interestingly, this was a point of a bit of contention between S and B, as B described herself as more particular and perfectionist. S however found enjoyment directly in
doing the work itself and seeing the evolving of the form and shape, seeing if it actually will work out as she plans.
But the two have a great rapport and have clearly learned much from each other.
I 543 Interaction Design Method | Resourcefulness of Everyday Design | Zan Morris, Melissa Tang
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9. DESIGN IMPLICATION
These are the design implications for ‘The Internet of things’ or ‘Creativity Support’ we focused on:
Design objects should be flexible, extensible, and scalable.
Used objects have place and purpose. For some this may simply be cost savings - but as we see here, that may
only be the first step in the process. A used piece of furniture may only be the first step in repurposing the object
to see an entire aesthetic come to life. We feel this ties in closely with Ron Wakkary’s heading of ‘Rethink Interaction Design Goals’: “New and different goals include designing digital technologies that can be easily appropriated
for new uses; designing simplicity that encourages flexibility and combinations with other designs; and creating
designs with many undirected affordances that can be exploited in use“. Digital items could have their electronics
be removable or reusable in order to facilitate this.
Not too time consuming & ‘Just Do It’.
S’s desire to ‘just get it done’ can almost be seen as the design prototyping and iteration phase, in which a design
object is constructed and analyzed for flaws or potential issues. Here it is only in actively working with the physical
material that S can decide whether or not to continue. This also means that a creative tool which allows the user
to evaluate an idea quickly is most helpful - Therefore we should design for objects which allow ‘pick up and go’.
Devices such as the Arduino might be seen as reflecting this in the electronic space.
I 543 Interaction Design Method | Resourcefulness of Everyday Design | Zan Morris, Melissa Tang
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10. DESIGN IMPLICATION
Fit Aesthetics
If it doesn’t fit the look, it doesn’t fit the look. Having the ability to alter a design object entirely to fit one’s aesthetics may be incredibly important, and the only way some people may allow these devices into their homes at
all. This does not only mean physical look, but texture, material, and even digital displays as well. And though there
are some products out there that mimic this idea, such as personalized phone cases, they’re only covering the
phone underneath. Wouldn’t it be better to place the ‘phone’ within whatever object the user prefers?
Connected to others
This goes almost without saying, but any device that doesn’t allow for others - friends, family, old memories, or
making new ones - has no place in the internet of things.
I 543 Interaction Design Method | Resourcefulness of Everyday Design | Zan Morris, Melissa Tang
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