Choose abstract situations to expose enthusiastic users to and consider how to best record their experiences. Define the format of content that would most powerfully record any insights gained and subsequently decide how to present the user with the probe. Upon receiving the probe back prepare a method for capturing the data and amplifying the nuances of each individuals experience.

Cultural Probes offer little quantifiable data by design and so are not suited to all research stages. They are particularly useful however at the exploration stage of a project where concepts are loose and in need of lateral input. Probes can also be used to interpret alternate system uses while looking for ways to expand.

Designer:


  1. •Rich, intuitive user data

  2. •Bespoke approaches are acceptable

  3. •Potentially low investment

  4. •Creative approach to insight generation


User Group:


  1. •Interactive, abstract involvement in research

  2. •Feedback is open to interpretation

  3. •More involving than typical questionning

Cultural Probe is an abstract term used to describe an item or collection of items that collect insights without a distinct motive or direction. While the results aren’t necessarily quantifiable they do gather a more intuitive response from the user. In this case the probe was simply a cardboard box rigged for sound and video.