Key readings - cultural probes
Playful probing, a variation of cultural probing, introduces specially designed games to increase participant engagement in ethnographic studies within the home context. It aims to involve children more actively in the research process. The experimental findings indicate that participants using playful probing doubled their responses compared to those not using the game, helping them focus on the investigated area. Future iterations of this method seek to refine game design based on participant feedback and explore variations for different age groups.
This study examines user-centered design methods, particularly ethnography and cultural probes, for understanding user experiences and incorporating their findings into design solution. By sending cultural probe ‘packs’ to users and analysing their responses, the study aims to bridge the gap between structured surveys and ethnographies in design research. Despite limitations in generalising findings due to the limited number of participants, this experimental method aims for depth, demonstrating how participant narratives can guide design practice.
This article delves into the complexities of employing probes in research, particularly in care settings where direct observation can occasionally be problematic. The authors highlight analytical challenges and instances of misuse, urging caution in overstating the transformative potential of probes. Despite these challenges, the use of probes in sensitive care settings also initiated valuable conversations and provided insights into participants’ experiences. The authors conclude with a call for the development of inclusive design strategies that actively involved users in the process.
Daniels, I. [forthcoming]. ‘Pack Methodology: Housing Research in Times of Crisis’. In G. Caramellino & F. De Pieri (eds). Housing Histories as a Methodological Observatory
Daniels’ chapter discusses the pack methodology that she and her team designed and used as part of the AHR- funded Disobedient Buildings project that explored housing, welfare and wellbeing in the UK, Romania and Norway. During the pandemic when face-to-face research was challenging or impossible, research packs consisting of low-tech devices such as postcards, maps and throw-away cameras enabled participants to study their own homes at their own pace. The participatory nature of this methodology empowered participants to actively contribute to the research process and share their perspectives on what matters most. As the world grapples with challenges such as housing crises, pandemics, climate change and economic uncertainties, the packs’ participant-led approach offers a blueprint for engaging with real-life experiences and co-creating solutions.
This article emphasises the importance of embracing uncertainty and subjective engagement in design. Drawing on their studies in several households in London, the authors illustrate how the trajectory from probes to design can often be complex, multifaceted, and difficult to trace. The authors argue against the tendency to appropriate Probes into a purely ‘scientific’ approach, advocating for the maintenance of their playful and subjective nature. They conclude by calling for the adoption of ‘probology’ as an approach that values uncertainty and subjectivity to inspire design ideas for technologies that could enrich people’s lives in pleasurable ways.
Gaver, B. Dunne, T. Pacenti, E. 1999. ‘Cultural Probes’. interactions, 6(1):21-19.
In a European Union-funded project focused on enhancing the presence of elderly people in communities, cultural probes served not only as data-gathering tools but as catalysts for inspiration. By acknowledging geographical and cultural gaps, the designers aimed to foster dialogue, bridge generational gaps and shun stereotypes. These visually captivating probes – such as maps, postcards, and cameras – were designed to encourage artistic expression. The efficacy of the probes lay in igniting personal exchanges with the elders that inspired designs tailored to the community’s specific needs and preferences.
This exploratory paper examines how different types of probes elicit various forms of user participation, noting their uncertain nature and ability to engage participants in a variety of ways. While most probes foster investigative and reflective involvement, others emphasize imaginative, emotional, or disruptive engagement. The authors call for a critical approach to the selection and use of probes, considering factors such as the participant’s characteristics and expected forms of participation. The authors also pose critical questions regarding the purpose of probes in research and design, emphasising the need to adapt to ever-evolving ethical and practical considerations.
The paper delves into the adaptation and importance of ‘Probes’ within Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), highlighting their role in gathering personal insights for design purposes. The article discusses a series of challenges – such as the burden on participants and the disruption of routines – and proposes solutions. The authors stress the need to understand how Probes function practically within the HCI framework and advocate for bridging qualitative and quantitative research approaches. They suggest combining various probe variants to capitalise on their strengths in capturing digital interaction in everyday life.
This paper discusses the use of cultural probes by two distinct design groups, emphasising their divergent theoretical and methodological backgrounds. One group, influenced by the artistic tradition, uses probes to inspire design in domestic environments, the other pragmatically adapts them for ethnographic research in sensitive settings such as care facilities. Both groups employ the methodology to understand the nuanced motivations and experiences shaping people’s lives. Overall, the authors argue that cultural probes offer a valuable methodological approach for understanding and designing technologies in intimate and complex settings, prompting the need for new conceptual frameworks.
This article delves into the application of probes in design and product development companies, emphasising their multifaceted role in inspiring design creativity, gathering user information, facilitating participation, and promoting dialogue between users and designers. The article describes probes as activities intrinsic to design, permitting subjective interpretation and the integration of professional expertise into the design process. However, the authors also point at challenges such as their ambiguity and the varying levels of user engagement.