Lee, Jung-Joo, and Salil Sayed.” Culturally Sensitive Design.” Design Connections, Helsinki (2008), 54-63.

I was tipped off to this article by Paul Wyss, Distance Librarian at MNSU. Design Connections is a publication of the University of Art and Design--Helsinki. Not surprisingly, it primarily focuses on design from an artistic standpoint. However, Paul advised me to examine even the most tangentially related journal articles for possible inclusion into my research, as one never knows what interesting nugget of information lies within an article.

This article by Lee and Sayed outlines the drawbacks of traditional methods for user-centered design, and suggests alternate ways to make human-centered design more culturally sensitive. The authors prefer the term "human-centered design" over "user-centered design", as the term "user" detracts from the human-ness of activity, whatever it may be. The authors mention that observations of cultures provide only snapshots of the particular culture. These snapshots may not hold true over time, as cultures are constantly changing and evolving. Snapshots also don't reveal "hidden" factors of a culture.

Traditional research methods for human-centered design include focus groups, interviews, questionnaires, and experiments. Adapted or innovative methods include observational research, ethnographies, and creative methods like card sorting, visual diaries, design workshops and cognitive mapping. The authors suggest that adapted or innovative methods can reveal richer results that engage the user in the design process. The user is now empowered, and provides the same level of contribution as the researcher or designer.

The concept of putting the work of the end user or participant at the same contribution level as the researcher is especially of interest to me. This seems like the best, most culturally sensitive way to develop materials, including visuals. In this sense, a technical communicator forms a true partnership with the user, and respects the knowledge that the user brings to the project.