Ethnography

          Ethnography is the scientific description of the customs of individual peoples and cultures. There are many important aspects to consider when employing ethnographic techniques to study a person. In both articles, What is Ethnography and An Ethnography Primer, the techniques are explained thoroughly so one is able to achieve the best results. Both of these articles focus primarily on how ethnography is most useful to the world of the designer.

           Ethnography is important in the world because a designer must truly connect with their audience. If a designer does not connect with their audience, their work will not have an inspiring effect. This is why it is very important for designers to find a connection between their product and the product’s meaning to the consumer. These articles illustrate how easily a designer may conquer the important connection between their work and their audience through the process of ethnography.

           There are many important factors in this process, but I believe the most important factor is connecting with and engaging the audience. Going into the field will often get you the best results, but it is important to record one’s data through notes, photographs, or video footage. Another key factor in receiving the best results for ethnography is engaging in an open-ended conversation with your audience. One does not wish or want to make your customer feel pressured or grilled when answering questions that will eventually add or subtract meaning from your work on the product. The conversation should not be all business, and it is a good idea to break the ice and connect with the customer by allowing the conversation to show both personality and cover pleasant topics that both you and your audience can relate too. This approach will hopefully make the customer feel free and at ease to answer honestly in response to the design.

           I found both these articles to be very helpful and relevant to our current project. It reminds me to be constantly thinking of whom my wayfinding audience is and how I need to be considerate of their needs in order to create an inspiring connection between my work and their response to the design. This connection could easily form while I follow the process of the ethnographic techniques, which are essential to any designer.