Reflection

More Ethnography!

Ethnography gives designer a better understanding of the design. It give insight into the meaning behind why and how to make something. The design becomes better with the more knowledge found about who is going to use and what purpose its taking on. I find this very important because if a designer knew nothing about how I used a knife then I would not want them designing one for me. When I see a design that is flawlessly executed I am more inclined to purchase an object. If it improves the quality of work, I will use it more. It is important for a designer to have empathy so that ours lives are made easier with design. After reading this I realize I take design for granted knowing all the hard work that is put into an ethnographic study. I also realize there is alot of behind the scenes effort that goes into design. There is quite a process that is involved with collecting data and analyzing it. The data can be in form of all kinds of medium like video, audio, photos. This is inspiring to me because ethnography allows the ordinary to have beauty. Without it being staged the process can result in meaning. These meanings result in a successful design not one that will offend anyone. It making designing straight and to the point which communicates to the viewer clearly. This is done by immersing yourself in whatever part of a culture a designer selects and observing reality. Ethnography guides a designer through a process to see what is important to focus on and achieve

_RCJH