A digital startup that focuses on art. Love it.

the topics: affinity diagrams and user models
the activity: create an affinity diagram based on our field observations
the homework: create a user model (also based on our field observations)

Now that we had our field findings, our next task was to create an affinity diagram.

Affinity diagramming is a technique used to organize distinct and separate items into patterns and trends. The items can be anything from demographic info, to quotes made by research subjects, to ideas and personal insights.

When finished, you end up with something that looks like the picture above.

So my group and I created our affinity diagram, and we were no closer to defining our product. In fact, it looked as if we were moving away from our original idea of the grocery list + budget + recipe, and towards something that improved the overall shopping experience.

But we didn’t know if we were going to do that, either. We were so confused after our affinity diagramming exercise.

However, we had enough to create our user models (aka audience segmentations) over the weekend. User models are visual tools that help identify users and create empathy, and can take shape as quadrants, profiles, personas or mental models.

So there we are. Let’s see what happens next week.

K

affinity diagram photo by Sean Munson (used with permission under a Creative Commons license)

“Metropol’s interweaving waffle-like wooden panels rise from concrete base reinforced with steel, which are positioned in such a way to architecturally form canopies and walkways below the parasols. Metropol Parasol was given this contemporary organic design to explore the potential that the Plaza de la Encarnacion becomes the new fashionable, modern-day urban center.” (…)

Too bad it’s an archeological site, farmers market, elevated plaza, multiple bars and restaurants space. And not an office space. It would be kinda cool to work there.

designed by J. MAYER H. Architects
photo by David Franck

via Conde Nast Traveler