Three in One User Study

This paper introduces a promising user study approach, Three in One User Study (TO US). The approach is applicable for SME-scale design projects with limited resources and in quest for semi radical innovation. TO US is built on applying a set of studies in parallel, which speeds up and lightens the process. It also follows the logic of problem solving in design practice. In TO US face-to-face contacts with the users are integrated into one designer-user session during which prior produced self-documentation material and early design solutions are the basis for further user centred exploration. TO US combines three different complementary points of view to design: users’ own open interpretations, designers’ focused observations and intervention to change existing practices. TO US has been applied in a kick-bike design case. The procedure led to essential improvements to the initial concepts and well justified decisions for further design development.