In order for products and services to be designed inclusively, designers need to understand users' capabilities and needs Thus methods for involving and understanding users are of key importance for inclusive design. However, many of these methods have limited uptake, possibly because of a poor fit with design practice. We conducted a card-sorting study with twenty-one product and communications designers, examining how they view user-centred methods, and how they relate them to other design methods. Results were analysed using hierarchical agglommerative cluster analysis to try to identify groups of methods that are considered similar to each other. This paper particularly examines the differences between product and communications designers. We found that product designers perceive a larger distinction between user involvement and other design methods, and communications designers are less structured in their approach to methods. We conclude that inclusive design methods and their presentation need to be adapted for different groups of designers.@en

Methods for involving and understanding users are of key importance for effective and inclusive design. However, many of these methods have had limited uptake, due in part to a poor fit with the ways in which designers think and work. We therefore conducted a card-sorting study with twenty-one product and communications designers, examining their views of design methods in general, and user methods in particular. The study was analysed using hierarchical agglomerative cluster analysis. In this paper, we present some of the initial results, describing the main categories of design methods used and discussing the designers' views of the roles of user methods in design.

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Numerous methods have been developed to help designers to understand and consider the needs and desires of end-users, but many have had limited uptake in design practice. In order to understand why this is and to enable the development of more effective methods and tools, it is important to uncover how designers themselves think about and react to these methods. We are therefore currently conducting a card-sorting study with designers. We aim to uncover their perceptions of underlying similarities and relationships between design methods, and relate them to the frequency and enjoyment of use. This paper presents results from an initial sample of six designers. A cluster analysis identified a very strong clustering in these results, indicating that common underlying views about methods do exist. Six key clusters are identified, including two focused on user involvement and one on understanding users without direct user contact. The effect of different method characteristics on the frequency and enjoyment of method use are also considered. Initial results indicate that certain clusters of methods are used more often, as are methods that are informal and cheap.

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