Effective Edtech User Centred Design: Why you should sit down for a cuppa with a potter
Pottery and tea drinking have an interlinked history stretching back thousand of years. As a now lapsed potter, but diligent tea drinker and committed educational specialist, the most fundamental issues of ceramic design now resonate with the challenges facing FutureEdx UX design.
Form Follows Function Follows Behaviour
The term form follows function was an early principle of post modern industrial design which said the purpose of a building should be the starting point for its design and alongside the related though slightly different craft versus Art dilemma1 it is a major cause for debate in any design process. The term form follows function was later adjusted to the much more helpful "form and function are one" by the architect Frank Lloyd Wright2.
In Ceramics, as in Edtech design, I believe form relates to how a product is made, while function relates to what purpose the user has for your product. In my opinion behaviour should describe how a user uses your product; that is, what is the environment in which it will have to perform and what are the expectations the user has for it. (Graphic 1).
Function can arguably follow Form sometimes, however I propose these three areas are interdependent and treating them as such is the key to creating great and potentially innovative user experiences. Behaviours are fluid and the focus changes according to shifting performance, expectation and environmental demands. Time saving habits, open communication lines, or innovative infrastructure are some factors which affect behavioural change. Designing to a network or matrix of behaviours (graphic 2), rather than rigid and often vague user profiles gives us a chance of meeting genuine needs. It’s hoped that looking across disciplines that share the need for deeply ingrained observational approaches, as Ceramics Design does, could help build the behavioural insight that leads to effective FutureEdx design.
Form Follows Function Follows Behaviour
The term form follows function was an early principle of post modern industrial design which said the purpose of a building should be the starting point for its design and alongside the related though slightly different craft versus Art dilemma1 it is a major cause for debate in any design process. The term form follows function was later adjusted to the much more helpful "form and function are one" by the architect Frank Lloyd Wright2.
In Ceramics, as in Edtech design, I believe form relates to how a product is made, while function relates to what purpose the user has for your product. In my opinion behaviour should describe how a user uses your product; that is, what is the environment in which it will have to perform and what are the expectations the user has for it. (Graphic 1).
Function can arguably follow Form sometimes, however I propose these three areas are interdependent and treating them as such is the key to creating great and potentially innovative user experiences. Behaviours are fluid and the focus changes according to shifting performance, expectation and environmental demands. Time saving habits, open communication lines, or innovative infrastructure are some factors which affect behavioural change. Designing to a network or matrix of behaviours (graphic 2), rather than rigid and often vague user profiles gives us a chance of meeting genuine needs. It’s hoped that looking across disciplines that share the need for deeply ingrained observational approaches, as Ceramics Design does, could help build the behavioural insight that leads to effective FutureEdx design.
Graphic 1. D. Frith
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Graphic 2. Network of Behaviours
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Raku IX (Ryōnyū) (Japan, 1756-1838) Los Angeles County Museum of Art [Public domain]
Balancing Form, Function, and Behaviour
The earliest evidence of tea drinking dates to 2nd century B.C. China. The ceremonies which accompany tea drinking have a similar history and continue to this day. The Raku process is one ceramic style which produced cups for the tea ceremony in 16th century Japan. It is particularly interesting because with Raku we can see a remarkable example of the balance between form, function and behaviour.
The cup in the Japanese tea ceremony is more than just a vessel for drinking. The explanation below highlights how form and function are barely indistinguishable in Raku; behaviour arguably transcends them both.
“… these [Raku] tea bowls are shaped so that both hands can snugly wrap around the circumference … Indeed these radical tea bowls mark the turning point when tea ceremony became about the tea and not about the tea utensils.” 3
Form, Function, and Zen
Raku and Zen Buddhism are closely linked; Raku actually means “happiness in the accident”. The Raku ceramicist embraces the natural Raku process which is very difficult to control the final outcome and comes with a high risk of failure. This causality seems to have fit very closely with the Zen philosophy of the time.
We have already discussed how behaviour (and environment) requires the cup to fit into the users hand. At the same time, the unpredictable nature of Raku and the chance outcome which makes one pot stand out from others (form) seems to imbue that pot with a special uniqueness which actually increases the ceremonial experience. At times, it seems impossible to fully untangle how something is made, from what it is used for, from how it is used, however the integrated continuous experimentation and risk taking is essential in the search for balance between form, function and behaviour.
“… raku ware touches on many of the things that Zen philosophy embodies, most notably its simplicity and naturalness. …In raku firing all of nature's elements are used, earth, fire, air and water. The earth is used to make the pot, then it's put into a […] kiln, then plunged into water. The cold water halts the firing process.”4
Zen like behaviour
Even the most humdrum of utilitarian objects requires a balanced understanding of form, function and behaviour. The cup and saucer depend heavily on research, sketching and prototyping to investigate the best fit in the hand, the best curve for the lip, the curve of the handle, the balance between cup and handle, the compatibility between cup and saucer, even its suitability for creating a mould for mass production if required. Unlike Raku, the cup and saucer prototype can be thrown over and over to gain the most aesthetic curves. The type of clay and decoration can increase the value. But its functional success depends entirely on how well it sits on the saucer. This may be the simplest case possible of where form follows function follows behaviour, i.e. the minimum expectations a user has is that the cup doesn’t wobble on the saucer.
The earliest evidence of tea drinking dates to 2nd century B.C. China. The ceremonies which accompany tea drinking have a similar history and continue to this day. The Raku process is one ceramic style which produced cups for the tea ceremony in 16th century Japan. It is particularly interesting because with Raku we can see a remarkable example of the balance between form, function and behaviour.
The cup in the Japanese tea ceremony is more than just a vessel for drinking. The explanation below highlights how form and function are barely indistinguishable in Raku; behaviour arguably transcends them both.
“… these [Raku] tea bowls are shaped so that both hands can snugly wrap around the circumference … Indeed these radical tea bowls mark the turning point when tea ceremony became about the tea and not about the tea utensils.” 3
Form, Function, and Zen
Raku and Zen Buddhism are closely linked; Raku actually means “happiness in the accident”. The Raku ceramicist embraces the natural Raku process which is very difficult to control the final outcome and comes with a high risk of failure. This causality seems to have fit very closely with the Zen philosophy of the time.
We have already discussed how behaviour (and environment) requires the cup to fit into the users hand. At the same time, the unpredictable nature of Raku and the chance outcome which makes one pot stand out from others (form) seems to imbue that pot with a special uniqueness which actually increases the ceremonial experience. At times, it seems impossible to fully untangle how something is made, from what it is used for, from how it is used, however the integrated continuous experimentation and risk taking is essential in the search for balance between form, function and behaviour.
“… raku ware touches on many of the things that Zen philosophy embodies, most notably its simplicity and naturalness. …In raku firing all of nature's elements are used, earth, fire, air and water. The earth is used to make the pot, then it's put into a […] kiln, then plunged into water. The cold water halts the firing process.”4
Zen like behaviour
Even the most humdrum of utilitarian objects requires a balanced understanding of form, function and behaviour. The cup and saucer depend heavily on research, sketching and prototyping to investigate the best fit in the hand, the best curve for the lip, the curve of the handle, the balance between cup and handle, the compatibility between cup and saucer, even its suitability for creating a mould for mass production if required. Unlike Raku, the cup and saucer prototype can be thrown over and over to gain the most aesthetic curves. The type of clay and decoration can increase the value. But its functional success depends entirely on how well it sits on the saucer. This may be the simplest case possible of where form follows function follows behaviour, i.e. the minimum expectations a user has is that the cup doesn’t wobble on the saucer.
Niche Experience
Recognising changes in the environment
Design during the early 20th century responded to demand for time saving devices. The purely functional mug has slowly but surely relegated the cup and saucer to the role of niche experience or relic for many western tea drinkers in a 21st century rush . When highlighting the success of the mug we should also recognise the tea bag's simultaneous innovation. All three factors contributed to the changing environment and behaviour despite some stiff upper sniffiness from some late adopters. The disruptive consequences were considerable in that it increased the volume of liquid available in one serving, made tea transportable, made some components obsolete (strainer), other niche (teapot), lowered production costs, and may even have changed tastes towards a lighter tasting tea. Its essential to be prepared when synergies within the environment create the ideal situation for disruptive innovation. In Edtech this probably means tracking where and when infrastructure, policy, and funding issues change the environment. It also means being aware of where overlap or competition may present a threat to your own design.
Design during the early 20th century responded to demand for time saving devices. The purely functional mug has slowly but surely relegated the cup and saucer to the role of niche experience or relic for many western tea drinkers in a 21st century rush . When highlighting the success of the mug we should also recognise the tea bag's simultaneous innovation. All three factors contributed to the changing environment and behaviour despite some stiff upper sniffiness from some late adopters. The disruptive consequences were considerable in that it increased the volume of liquid available in one serving, made tea transportable, made some components obsolete (strainer), other niche (teapot), lowered production costs, and may even have changed tastes towards a lighter tasting tea. Its essential to be prepared when synergies within the environment create the ideal situation for disruptive innovation. In Edtech this probably means tracking where and when infrastructure, policy, and funding issues change the environment. It also means being aware of where overlap or competition may present a threat to your own design.
Observing Behaviour
Whether it's a Zen like ceremony or a quick cuppa in the office, tea (and coffee) drinking involves similar rituals. Observing the behaviour can inform understanding of expectations and environment which in turn can be fed into the design process.
Choosing a mug is an apparently simple user decision but consider the selection process which might go into choosing a mug (see image below). Firstly, we’ll look for the Premium Ware, this your personal mug and is comforting. If there is no Premium we may go for the abundant Free Ware. Note the similarities in shape between Premium and Free Ware indicate an ideal ergonomic design has been established. If we arrive late we may be choosing from the Random Ware. This is ware from a previous project which has lost its relevance or has been re-purposed; a coffee cup masquerading as a tea mug is random ware. We often find Random ware has unusual shapes in an attempt to add value and differentiate themselves from free ware. At this point, we should note the Niche Experience Ware which may or may not be present. This is valuable because it is quirky or because it is essential in certain circumstances. It is not for every day use and involves high production costs. Finally we have the Mugs of Last Resort. For a variety of reasons these mugs are found lurking at the back of the cupboard. The lip may be too wide (form) or it may be too big (function). Although the MLR may be considered Random Ware by some users in general it represents poor design which may have been driven by mistaken attempt to force change in users behaviour or the environment. The MLR has invariably failed to meet user expectations and can be considered a vanity project. It is important to avoid being the MLR in all design projects.
Whether it's a Zen like ceremony or a quick cuppa in the office, tea (and coffee) drinking involves similar rituals. Observing the behaviour can inform understanding of expectations and environment which in turn can be fed into the design process.
Choosing a mug is an apparently simple user decision but consider the selection process which might go into choosing a mug (see image below). Firstly, we’ll look for the Premium Ware, this your personal mug and is comforting. If there is no Premium we may go for the abundant Free Ware. Note the similarities in shape between Premium and Free Ware indicate an ideal ergonomic design has been established. If we arrive late we may be choosing from the Random Ware. This is ware from a previous project which has lost its relevance or has been re-purposed; a coffee cup masquerading as a tea mug is random ware. We often find Random ware has unusual shapes in an attempt to add value and differentiate themselves from free ware. At this point, we should note the Niche Experience Ware which may or may not be present. This is valuable because it is quirky or because it is essential in certain circumstances. It is not for every day use and involves high production costs. Finally we have the Mugs of Last Resort. For a variety of reasons these mugs are found lurking at the back of the cupboard. The lip may be too wide (form) or it may be too big (function). Although the MLR may be considered Random Ware by some users in general it represents poor design which may have been driven by mistaken attempt to force change in users behaviour or the environment. The MLR has invariably failed to meet user expectations and can be considered a vanity project. It is important to avoid being the MLR in all design projects.
Rolex Award Laureate Mohamed Bah Abba (1964 - 2010)
Transformation and Disruption
In 2005 Mohammed Bah Abba (photo left) invented the pot in a pot which has transformed lives in parts of rural Nigeria.5 As with the Spanish botijo6, the chemistry involved is simple and was well known in Egyptian times.
Mohammed took the local ceramic skills plus this technical knowledge to create a solution which allowed people to save perishable food and drink cool water. In a rural environment with no reliable electricity this innovation allowed villagers to keep aubergines fresh for 27 days rather than the usual 3. There is a clear link between Bah Abba’s pot design, his craftsmanship, and meeting user needs. A happy consequence of this innovation was the disrupted behaviour which saw enriched diets, a new industry created, and lowered risk of illness 5 This was achieved without simultaneous innovations and with a need but little expectation, in contrast to the tea bag above, however its impact was profound. In Edtech this might mean by addressing an administrative pain point you could provide benefits for the environmental and behavioural needs across the school admin and potentially school/home link.
Anticipating Changes in Behaviour
The obsolete tea pot tells a story of changing tastes and behaviours in the last 60 years. A continuous fall in consumption may challenge even the Premium and Free Ware design eventually if the switch to on-the-go coffee and soft drinks continues, however this also opens the opportunity as a designer to investigate premium products and high quality user experiences.
The changes described here occur slowly over long periods and are based on fairly predictable needs and deeply ingrained behaviours. Edtech design has the potential to be equally disruptive and even change users expectations but design and build must go hand in hand with deep understanding of the balance between what people want from the product, how they intend using it and in what circumstances it will be used.
In 2005 Mohammed Bah Abba (photo left) invented the pot in a pot which has transformed lives in parts of rural Nigeria.5 As with the Spanish botijo6, the chemistry involved is simple and was well known in Egyptian times.
Mohammed took the local ceramic skills plus this technical knowledge to create a solution which allowed people to save perishable food and drink cool water. In a rural environment with no reliable electricity this innovation allowed villagers to keep aubergines fresh for 27 days rather than the usual 3. There is a clear link between Bah Abba’s pot design, his craftsmanship, and meeting user needs. A happy consequence of this innovation was the disrupted behaviour which saw enriched diets, a new industry created, and lowered risk of illness 5 This was achieved without simultaneous innovations and with a need but little expectation, in contrast to the tea bag above, however its impact was profound. In Edtech this might mean by addressing an administrative pain point you could provide benefits for the environmental and behavioural needs across the school admin and potentially school/home link.
Anticipating Changes in Behaviour
The obsolete tea pot tells a story of changing tastes and behaviours in the last 60 years. A continuous fall in consumption may challenge even the Premium and Free Ware design eventually if the switch to on-the-go coffee and soft drinks continues, however this also opens the opportunity as a designer to investigate premium products and high quality user experiences.
The changes described here occur slowly over long periods and are based on fairly predictable needs and deeply ingrained behaviours. Edtech design has the potential to be equally disruptive and even change users expectations but design and build must go hand in hand with deep understanding of the balance between what people want from the product, how they intend using it and in what circumstances it will be used.
Bibliography
1 http://www.tate.org.uk/context-comment/blogs/tate-debate-when-craft-art
2 https://www.guggenheim.org/arts-curriculum/topic/form-follows-function
3 http://japanese-tea-ceremony.net/raku-ware.html
4 https://www.thespruce.com/raku-2746086
5 http://blog.rolexawards.com/2013/03/the-desert-refrigerator/
6 http://www.botijopedia.com/en/cooling.php
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_tea#Early_history
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/11782555/Is-Britain-falling-out-of-love-with-tea.html
http://worldteanews.com/news/global-tea-production-2015
1 http://www.tate.org.uk/context-comment/blogs/tate-debate-when-craft-art
2 https://www.guggenheim.org/arts-curriculum/topic/form-follows-function
3 http://japanese-tea-ceremony.net/raku-ware.html
4 https://www.thespruce.com/raku-2746086
5 http://blog.rolexawards.com/2013/03/the-desert-refrigerator/
6 http://www.botijopedia.com/en/cooling.php
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_tea#Early_history
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/11782555/Is-Britain-falling-out-of-love-with-tea.html
http://worldteanews.com/news/global-tea-production-2015
Transmedia Educational Storytelling Project
The Transmedia Education page on this website tells the story of Bernhard Trautmann. It is an educational project to investigate the potential for storytelling across a range of print and digital resources. All resources are free to use although registration may be required in some cases.
Disclaimer: I do not promote or otherwise benefit from any of the resources featured here. All visual content is mine unless otherwise stated.
Disclaimer: I do not promote or otherwise benefit from any of the resources featured here. All visual content is mine unless otherwise stated.
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A Storytelling project for Education
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Bertacus
A tale this good just has to be told - a journey back from the depths of human misery. A story of survival, perseverance and resilience. Of forgiveness and hope overcoming hatred and shame - of Battles, Medals and Sport. A Greek classic. Bertacus of Bremen, indeed.
Storytelling in Education
This educational project uses free to use online tools and mobile resources like Augmented Reality, Google Maps, Twitter and Thinglink, etc; to tell a story through 21st century teaching practice.
The real focus is not on the tools themselves but the skills and the processes which are fundamental to creating engaging, meaningful learning. The pedagogy is always first, in FutureEdx digital resources only facilitates the learning. The video right explains the project but for the moment requires a password. Please email or Tweet me for access if you are interested.
Follow @Bertacus
Follow me
Bertacus
A tale this good just has to be told - a journey back from the depths of human misery. A story of survival, perseverance and resilience. Of forgiveness and hope overcoming hatred and shame - of Battles, Medals and Sport. A Greek classic. Bertacus of Bremen, indeed.
Storytelling in Education
This educational project uses free to use online tools and mobile resources like Augmented Reality, Google Maps, Twitter and Thinglink, etc; to tell a story through 21st century teaching practice.
The real focus is not on the tools themselves but the skills and the processes which are fundamental to creating engaging, meaningful learning. The pedagogy is always first, in FutureEdx digital resources only facilitates the learning. The video right explains the project but for the moment requires a password. Please email or Tweet me for access if you are interested.
