Post it to prototype, or.... How I learned to stop worrying and love Science.
Findings from a personal struggle with my "designer" identity.
Part 1: Why think like a scientist? Includes a short story…
Part 2: A science/design project.
5. A littTleo bdita ayb…out me...
With Deutsche Bank for 3 years.
10 years experience.
Previously worked as a UX consultant.
Love photography, music, architecture…
All what I’d consider to be designer type things!
Graduated with Bachelor of Science degree in Human Factors
(Ergonomics).
…and it’s this last bit I want to tell you about.
6. … I really didn’t think of myself as a SCIENTIST!
7. Human FaTcotodrasy (…Ergonomics)
I learnt all about cognitive psychology, qualitative data analysis and
various observational research methods…
…All very “science” orientated type things
So
I specialized in Human-Computer Interaction!
Which, whilst very “science-y” included more design related and UI
focused projects
10. ToHed taolyd …me:
“As a scientist, an engineer or designer…
…you’ll follow the same steps.
It’s the method that’s important”
11. So what method does a Scientist follow?
1. Baseline research leading to a
hypothesis or theory
2. Produce models and simulations
3. Experiment & make observations
12. And Scientists always...
Never fear failure. Ever
Understand there are no Silver Bullets
Constantly learn from others
Iterate, Iterate, Iterate
Iterate, Iterate, Iterate
Continually learn from others
13. But most importantly...
Scientists want their
theories to be tested...
This is how new ideas develop and
the discipline moves forward
14. Example
The Higgs Boson was theorized back in
1964 by Peter Higgs. It attempts to
describe the basic workings of the
universe.
It’s taken 48 years for its existence to be
proven... Scientists still say they’re only
99% certain.
But more importantly, the insight gathered
in the last 48 years has benefited us all...
e.g. mobile communications technology,
advances in medical science (particularly
radiology), and lots more.
http://thenextweb.com/shareables/2012/07/04/so-what-is-the-higgs-boson-and-why-is-it-important-anyway/
43. “Good artists copy,
great artists steal…”
Pablo Picasso
Personally, I prefer...
“Insights from others often lead us to our own
(mini) breakthroughs”
Me (Today)
BUT always give appropriate credit… I’ve learnt this the hard way!
44. Scientists learn from others all the time...
Einstein: Theory of Relativity
Einstein was heavily influenced by Henri
Poincaré, a French mathematician who’s
previously published work had largely focused
in this area.
Alexander Graham Bell: Telephone
Italian, Antonio Meucci demonstrated “voice communication apparatus”
almost 16 years earlier.
As an aside... Meucci failed to pay a $10 patent renewal fee
45. Caution!
Never take an idea wholesale
Just because it works for X users,
doesn’t mean it’ll work for Y
Always consider the context
47. Using multiple methods
helps us gain deeper insight
Remember:
There are no Silver Bullets
48. Testing our assumptions and our designs
makes our products better
Remember:
Iterate, Iterate, Iterate
49. Insights from others often lead us to
our own (mini) breakthroughs
Remember:
Learn from others
50. It’s OK to Fail
In fact, we should embrace it
and learn from our mistakes
Remember:
Scientists want their theories to be tested!
We learn from failure… Probably more than we do
from success.