Milestone 2: Formative Study
Introduction
At the end of Milestone 1, we had established our target audience to be hikers. Our initial concepts were highly focused on creating a smart shoe to help mitigate common difficulties hikers face, but we took a step back to discover other ways we could enhance or improve the hiking experience. At this point, we had also not decided which type of hikers or environment we were focusing on, such as new versus experienced hikers or short hikes versus long hikes.
Study Design
We came up with the following research questions to better understand our target audience and guide our study plan.
Interviews
We interviewed 7 different people. Our interviews were used to better understand hikers, their past experiences with hiking, and their thoughts on hiking. Interviews lasted around 30 minutes. Our interview questions can be grouped into the following themes:
We conducted a photo diary study with 4 different people who were planning on going on a hike of at least one hour during the time of our study. We chose to do a photo diary study because it would allow us to understand both visually and verbally what the participants experienced on their hike. Participants were asked to take at least 10 photos in total and at least one of the following prompts:
- What gets you excited about hiking?
- What environmental triggers remind people of hiking?
- How do groups of hikers get together and go hiking?
- What issues do hikers face while hiking?
Interviews
We interviewed 7 different people. Our interviews were used to better understand hikers, their past experiences with hiking, and their thoughts on hiking. Interviews lasted around 30 minutes. Our interview questions can be grouped into the following themes:
- Hiking preparation
- In-situ hiking
- Equipment
- Social aspects of hiking
We conducted a photo diary study with 4 different people who were planning on going on a hike of at least one hour during the time of our study. We chose to do a photo diary study because it would allow us to understand both visually and verbally what the participants experienced on their hike. Participants were asked to take at least 10 photos in total and at least one of the following prompts:
- A picture of the equipment, if any, that you bring or use
- Any activities you do (e.g. camping, cooking, water activities, etc.)
- Anyone accompanying you on the trip (if they’re comfortable with that)
- Your surroundings. This could include:
- Your general surroundings during your hike
- Noteworthy accomplishments or landmarks (e.g. top of a mountain, end of your hike, waterfall, etc.)
Cultural Probe
The cultural probe participants were the same 4 people from the photo diary study. Our cultural probe consisted of two parts. The first part was to have participants make a drawing of an imaginary device that would help them on their hike. The second part was to have participants write a postcard to someone to tell them about their hike. Participants did the cultural probe after they completed their hike. The cultural probe allowed us to better understand hikers’ thoughts, needs, and values and gain inspiration for ideas from their input.
The cultural probe participants were the same 4 people from the photo diary study. Our cultural probe consisted of two parts. The first part was to have participants make a drawing of an imaginary device that would help them on their hike. The second part was to have participants write a postcard to someone to tell them about their hike. Participants did the cultural probe after they completed their hike. The cultural probe allowed us to better understand hikers’ thoughts, needs, and values and gain inspiration for ideas from their input.
Study Results
After interviewing all of our participants, we came together as a group and shared what we had learned from our interviews and cultural probes. We wrote down on a whiteboard themes and ideas that our participants shared.
After writing down all of the themes and ideas from our interviews, we then divided them up into three groups: problems, wants, and opportunities. Problems are issues, difficulties, and complaints that our participants had experienced during their hikes. Wants are aspects of the hike that are important to our participants, but aren’t complaints about any aspect of the trip. Opportunities are things we believed either didn’t exist yet or existing things that can be modified to improve the hiking experience.
From our interviews, we learned that getting lost was a common fear among most of our participants. Many expressed the need for better GPS technology. Along similar lines, some participants addressed the desire to know about the routes ahead of time, including the terrain and any dangers that may be present. Different fears were also expressed. Some of these included fear of darkness and heights. Scenery was also an important aspect for many of our participants. Many participants expressed interest in taking photos capturing nature scenes from their hikes. Carrying equipment was also a larger issue, particularly carrying food around. The physical activity and soreness that comes with it was also frequently brought up.
From our cultural probes, our four participants echoed the need for a more efficient way to carry supplies, GPS, knowing the route ahead of time, and dealing with the soreness during a hike.
Some of the major themes that stood out to us were:
- Fears of getting lost/better navigation and GPS
- Having information about the hiking trails/routes is important.
- Hiking is extremely tasking on the body
Ideation and Selection
Once we had three themes we wanted to explore, we decided to come up with ideas as a group. We came up with several ideas and sketches. We came up with five criteria that we would use to narrow down to three concepts.
- Non-intrusive: Does the concept respect a person’s privacy and not inappropriately activate in inappropriate contexts?
- Usefulness: Does this concept fulfill our target user’s needs and provide them with benefits?
- Acceptability: Will this concept be adopted by the hiking community?
- Demonstrability: How practical is this concept for us to demo?
- Pleasurability: Does this concept provide a meaningful, pleasurable, and/or aesthetically satisfying experience?
Refined Scope and Concepts
Through the cultural probe, diary study, and interviews, we refined our audience to hikers who preferred going on long term hikes that lasted over one hour, but did not go overnight. These tended to be trips that people went on with friends and family where trails weren’t that difficult, but the scenery was varied and beautiful. Many hikers mentioned preferring to go to the mountains during summer or fall. We focused on minimizing issues that they faced while hiking in order to enhance the main activity; hiking.
Design Concept 1 - Preview Glasses
In this concept, Mike who is an amateur hiker, decides to explore the Great Dividing Trail in north west of Melbourne, Australia, a hiking and mountain-biking track. Despite having researched the track before the hiking, he finds himself in a situation where he must select one route among other choices. He sees mountains far away, but does not know what kind of scene will encounter after going on the top. The trees and natural topography prevent him from seeing a waterfall and a river from where he is walking. Since the hiking area is very large, it is not feasible to experience all of these attraction points in a couple of hours. That is when he has to decide. He uses his Preview Glasses to get a sense of each alternative direction. The glasses provide him with an exquisite dense preview of the highlights for each the choices. He is able to experience the most impressive moments and most breathtaking landscapes without having to be physically present at those specific locations. The Preview Glasses shows Mike a few second preview of one of the directions he is considering. He is impressed by the highlights and shadows of the hills he will see from the top of the mountain and decides to take this route.
Non-intrusive: In order to minimize the intrusivity of Preview Glasses, we have considered to integrate the product into an equipment that hikers are likely to use frequently: sunglasses. Ideally the product will be as aesthetically appealing as ordinary sunglasses.
Usefulness: The Preview Glasses certainly offers benefits to hikers who want to make the best out of the time they have dedicated to hiking. Hikers will find it useful because it enables them to have more control over their overall hiking experience, especially in places they have not visited before. Preview Glasses empowers hikers to make informed decisions.
Acceptability: We speculate that the early adopters of the Preview Glasses would include hikers who are either drawn to specific sceneries or would like to avoid certain situations. For example, in one of the interviews, one person addressed her fear of height and selecting alternative passages as a solution. The Preview Glasses is also more likely to be adopted by hikers who are new to hiking trails.
Demonstrability: The concept primarily relies on high video editing skills that can condense a multiple hour recorded hiking to a couple of seconds video. The highlights from the raw footage created by hikers who first explore the site wearing Preview Glasses will selected to create a short preview video of each route.
Pleasurability: It would be satisfying and enjoyable to be able to experience different trails without being physically present. The Preview Glasses offer a pleasant experience of exploring new sceneries by virtually walking hikers through nature.
Problems/Opportunities: The first problem identified with this concept is that some people might argue that one of the pleasures of hiking is to explore the unknown. The idea of experiencing routes in advance might conflict with the excitement and joy of discovery. The second problem of the Preview Glasses stems from the reliance of the product on a huge database created by raw footages from early users. Therefore, it might be hard to convince people to buy a product with limited coverage in different parts of the world. Third, wearing such glasses might look and feel unnatural to some people. Also since the primary function of the Preview Glasses is to help hikers with decision making regarding hiking routes, it would be hard to convince people to wear something they might only use a few times in a couple of hours.
Non-intrusive: In order to minimize the intrusivity of Preview Glasses, we have considered to integrate the product into an equipment that hikers are likely to use frequently: sunglasses. Ideally the product will be as aesthetically appealing as ordinary sunglasses.
Usefulness: The Preview Glasses certainly offers benefits to hikers who want to make the best out of the time they have dedicated to hiking. Hikers will find it useful because it enables them to have more control over their overall hiking experience, especially in places they have not visited before. Preview Glasses empowers hikers to make informed decisions.
Acceptability: We speculate that the early adopters of the Preview Glasses would include hikers who are either drawn to specific sceneries or would like to avoid certain situations. For example, in one of the interviews, one person addressed her fear of height and selecting alternative passages as a solution. The Preview Glasses is also more likely to be adopted by hikers who are new to hiking trails.
Demonstrability: The concept primarily relies on high video editing skills that can condense a multiple hour recorded hiking to a couple of seconds video. The highlights from the raw footage created by hikers who first explore the site wearing Preview Glasses will selected to create a short preview video of each route.
Pleasurability: It would be satisfying and enjoyable to be able to experience different trails without being physically present. The Preview Glasses offer a pleasant experience of exploring new sceneries by virtually walking hikers through nature.
Problems/Opportunities: The first problem identified with this concept is that some people might argue that one of the pleasures of hiking is to explore the unknown. The idea of experiencing routes in advance might conflict with the excitement and joy of discovery. The second problem of the Preview Glasses stems from the reliance of the product on a huge database created by raw footages from early users. Therefore, it might be hard to convince people to buy a product with limited coverage in different parts of the world. Third, wearing such glasses might look and feel unnatural to some people. Also since the primary function of the Preview Glasses is to help hikers with decision making regarding hiking routes, it would be hard to convince people to wear something they might only use a few times in a couple of hours.
Design Concept 2 - Hiking Socks
In our second concept, John is a 67-year-old man who has recently retired and have decided to spend more time outdoor. Although he is quite fit for his age, he is not very used to long hours of hiking and has noticed some difficulties when walking on uneven or steep surfaces. Before going for a hike to the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook Trail in Los Angeles, he decides to buy a pair of Hiking Socks. The product notify John about useful information on maintaining proper form to avoid pain or possible injuries. Each time he lands on his toes instead of heels, he is instructed on how to avoid extra pressure. Having hiked for an hour, John and his friend decide to take a break. This is a good time for John to activate the massage feature of his Hiking Socks. After taking some rest and massage, John feels refreshed and is ready to continue hiking with his friend.
Non-intrusive: Hiking socks for the most part will be hidden by shoes. The computing component of the product can land just above the ankle in form of a soft ring that feels comfortable and can be covered by another pair of socks or pants.
Usefulness: Since nature essentially offers very diverse set of challenges compared to cardio machines, it would be useful for hikers to maintain proper form in all circumstances. Uneven and sometimes steep terrains make the physical engagement more complex. Therefore this product would primarily benefit individuals who are more likely to face injuries and are more vulnerable. Providing feedback on their performance and how to put pressure on appropriate body parts would be an asset to them.
Acceptability: This concept is highly likely to be adopted by the hiking community as many people might face exhaustion, soreness or even injuries during hiking. In our interviews, some people identified injuries as one of their concerns before going for a hike. This concept will empower hikers to maintain proper form and will be supportive by offering advanced massages for temporary relief and recovery.
Demonstrability: This concept relies on measuring pressure on different parts of the foot, analyzing these data with regard to the physical specification of the user, and providing adequate feedback to enhance stamina. The output can be in form of audio to instruct user in real time. A more comprehensive output can visualize all the information gathered during hiking such as number of heel contacts, number of steps, number of improper landings and etc. This part requires an accompanying mobile app.
Pleasurability: Not only the massaging feature would be satisfying for exhausted feet, the real-time feedback of the product will give users a sense of security and increase their level of consciousness to maintain proper form to avoid injuries and maximize endurance.
Problems/Opportunities: The most important challenge in this concept is technical feasibility. It is hard to come up with standards regarding the pressure thresholds for specific parts of the foot to ensure proper form. The massaging feature also might require more space that could be available in a comfortable shoe.
Non-intrusive: Hiking socks for the most part will be hidden by shoes. The computing component of the product can land just above the ankle in form of a soft ring that feels comfortable and can be covered by another pair of socks or pants.
Usefulness: Since nature essentially offers very diverse set of challenges compared to cardio machines, it would be useful for hikers to maintain proper form in all circumstances. Uneven and sometimes steep terrains make the physical engagement more complex. Therefore this product would primarily benefit individuals who are more likely to face injuries and are more vulnerable. Providing feedback on their performance and how to put pressure on appropriate body parts would be an asset to them.
Acceptability: This concept is highly likely to be adopted by the hiking community as many people might face exhaustion, soreness or even injuries during hiking. In our interviews, some people identified injuries as one of their concerns before going for a hike. This concept will empower hikers to maintain proper form and will be supportive by offering advanced massages for temporary relief and recovery.
Demonstrability: This concept relies on measuring pressure on different parts of the foot, analyzing these data with regard to the physical specification of the user, and providing adequate feedback to enhance stamina. The output can be in form of audio to instruct user in real time. A more comprehensive output can visualize all the information gathered during hiking such as number of heel contacts, number of steps, number of improper landings and etc. This part requires an accompanying mobile app.
Pleasurability: Not only the massaging feature would be satisfying for exhausted feet, the real-time feedback of the product will give users a sense of security and increase their level of consciousness to maintain proper form to avoid injuries and maximize endurance.
Problems/Opportunities: The most important challenge in this concept is technical feasibility. It is hard to come up with standards regarding the pressure thresholds for specific parts of the foot to ensure proper form. The massaging feature also might require more space that could be available in a comfortable shoe.
Design Concept 3 - Hiking Bracelet
For our third concept, Jason, Sina, Diane, and Jonathan are hiking around Mackinaw Island during Fall. Sina decides to stop and take some pictures of the mountains, but the rest of the group doesn’t notice and keeps walking without him. After 10 minutes, they realize that they are missing one member. Luckily, they decided to wear their hiking bracelets, and they notice that the signal has turned red, indicating that Sina is located 39M east. They follow the light and happily are able to reconnect with him.
Non-intrusive: As hikers already have so many items with them, we decided to go with a strap on bracelet. We wanted something that was on the body of the user, since many hikers don’t want to stop and get a tool out of their backpack.
Useful: The ability to find a lost friend is extremely useful. This was a major concern for many different people and is a major safety concern. It also allows for larger groups to get together without the worry of getting split up. Users of different abilities can be confident that they won’t stray too far off, and if they do, it would be easy for them to find each other again.
Demonstrability: The design mainly relies on GPS and lights, which are common tools that we can prototype with. There may be some difficulty in making it into the correct form factor though since none of us a product designers.
Acceptability: As most users we spoke with said that they were concerned with getting lost or having someone get lost during a group hike, we believe that users will be interested in the product. The main difficulty is that users may already have something on their arms and not want to use it.
Pleasurability: Many hikers did not watch to look at a screen, so a major concern would be able to design the bracelet in a way that it looks natural and felt comfortable. While many people wear devices like Fitbit while exercising, hikers value nature and tend to not want too many items that brings them out of this feel.
Problems/Opportunities: A major problem with this would be the addition of another device to the hikers toolkit. Many hiker’s valued nature, and adding too much technology can be seen as a taking away from that. However, there is an opportunity to create a device that is aesthetically pleasing while still being functional. Safety is a major concern and can impede decisions on who to hike with. By making it more safe for groups to go together, we can make trips more easy to plan and more fun to be on.
Non-intrusive: As hikers already have so many items with them, we decided to go with a strap on bracelet. We wanted something that was on the body of the user, since many hikers don’t want to stop and get a tool out of their backpack.
Useful: The ability to find a lost friend is extremely useful. This was a major concern for many different people and is a major safety concern. It also allows for larger groups to get together without the worry of getting split up. Users of different abilities can be confident that they won’t stray too far off, and if they do, it would be easy for them to find each other again.
Demonstrability: The design mainly relies on GPS and lights, which are common tools that we can prototype with. There may be some difficulty in making it into the correct form factor though since none of us a product designers.
Acceptability: As most users we spoke with said that they were concerned with getting lost or having someone get lost during a group hike, we believe that users will be interested in the product. The main difficulty is that users may already have something on their arms and not want to use it.
Pleasurability: Many hikers did not watch to look at a screen, so a major concern would be able to design the bracelet in a way that it looks natural and felt comfortable. While many people wear devices like Fitbit while exercising, hikers value nature and tend to not want too many items that brings them out of this feel.
Problems/Opportunities: A major problem with this would be the addition of another device to the hikers toolkit. Many hiker’s valued nature, and adding too much technology can be seen as a taking away from that. However, there is an opportunity to create a device that is aesthetically pleasing while still being functional. Safety is a major concern and can impede decisions on who to hike with. By making it more safe for groups to go together, we can make trips more easy to plan and more fun to be on.