Users in Search of Methods
- Apala Lahiri Chavan

Date: Nov 3
Time Frame:10:00-10:30

Description:
I will explore the area of methods used in the design process and the need to adapt them for use in different cultures. We have seen that there are several dimensions on which cultures differ (Geert Hofstede, 1991),. It is now not uncommon to question the ‘one size fits all’ worldview. There are design guidelines that are emerging, in the domain of cross cultural design (Del Galdo, E., and Nielsen J, Anderson,1996). However, one area that has not received as much attention as it should, is that of the methods and tools used in the design process. If we accept that fact that there are fundamental differences among cultures, then does it not imply that we cannot have a ‘one method fits all’ approach. Any method is influenced by the culture where it originates and hence it ‘corrupts’ the data that is collected when using that alien method, in a completely different culture (Anderson, R.J., 1994). Are there ways we can adapt methods to suit different cultures(Barab, S.A., Thomas, M.K., Dodge, T., Newell, M. & Squire, K.,2003)? If yes, what and how can this be done?