Anthropology and HCI
In the realm of anthropology, where I've honed my craft, the cornerstone is an unwavering awareness of our own biases and an adherence to relativism. As researchers, it's imperative to acknowledge our predispositions while we delve deep into the psyche of diverse users and stakeholders throughout the ideation and iteration process of product development. I'm a firm believer that anthropology's robust theoretical framework and methodological precision offer a user-centric, grounded approach to UX research.
Whether navigating the landscape of mobile applications, devices, or customer experience, I embrace my role as a scholar. I delve into exhaustive data to find insight-driven recommendations that yield positive results. It's a journey of empathy, understanding, and meticulous examination, where each insight uncovered adds another layer to the rich tapestry of human interaction with technology.
“…we were the first to insist that we see the lives of others through lenses of our own grinding and that they look back on ours through ones of their own.”
Clifford Geertz | 1984
Thick Description
Anthropologists use a variety of methods to break through surface-level explanations and find deeper meanings in the actions and practices of cultures around the world. We do this because we value and want to document the diversity of the human experience. Our ability to discover individuals' tacit needs and integrate those needs into design results in sought-after systems and products.
As Geertz explains, ethnography is both a process and a product (Geertz 1973). This process involves using multiple methods to triangulate observation and generate a “thick description,” which is what sets ethnographies (the product) apart from other accounts of human experience. While observation, particularly participant observation, is often equated with ethnography, it is just one of many methods that can be employed to generate a thick description.
In product and user research, triangulation through the use of multiple methods ensures the rigor of findings. While research timelines and budgets may not always accommodate full ethnographic inquiry, I approach user research from an anthropological orientation centered on grounded theory. This involves employing a variety of methods to establish solid data while remaining receptive to the possibility that existing assumptions about users can change. Please connect with me for access to my portfolio, where you can see how I strike a balance between expediency and rigor.