Conclusion

Looking back, it can be observed that there were several inefficiencies in the process, and limitations to the methods chosen. True experimentation methodology was absent in a lot of our observations, as participants were totally aware of our intentions and design solutions. On top of this, we iterated through several inefficient prototypes that may have slowed down the overall design process. Finally, above all else, ten weeks is not nearly enough time to insure a change in behavior that is solving a problem as big as environmental sustainability. Indeed, we have not yet found positive proof that the individuals who have participated in the workshop have successfully gone on to create bioreactors themselves. But this is the work of lifetimes, not weeks, and we’re positive we will reach a solution as long as we stick to a human centered design process. Human centered research has been absolutely critical to our process, as has been demonstrated. In total, we interviewed 45 different target audience members, repeatedly iterating through different samples with different prototypes. We engaged in triangulation using different research methodologies like observation, standard interviews, and contextual interviews. We hit barriers, created prototypes that nobody wanted, and spent many late hours trying to figure out what was wrong. We iterated and iterated, and it is still nowhere near perfect. But that is the very nature of design. Improvement is incremental and persistent, and we will not stop till we have changed the world.