083 | Photo Studies |
Self-documentation of a participant’s life and interactions
- Photo studies are common in exploratory research as a method for understanding the world of users, particularly when engaging in territory unfamiliar to the designer.
- To initiate a photo study, participants are provided with a camera or instructed how their own cameras are to be used for the purposes of the research.
- Participants are given general instructions on what to document, or they may be instructed to take images at certain times or when feeling a particular way.
- Photo studies are most often used as a complement to other methods: for example, diary studies or the experience sampling method.
- The designer may rely solely on the photographs and participant notes for synthesis or have the participant explain or sort their photos.
- Patterns and themes might emerge within several photos from multiple participants.
See alsoCultural Probes • Diary Studies • Experience Sampling Method
Collected photos from a crowdsourced photo study on energy use reveal a diverse range of interpretations on the subject matter for design consideration.
Courtesy of frog design inc.
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