Methods for eliciting user experience insights in workplace studies: spatial walkthroughs, experience curve mapping and card sorting
Journal article, 2022
Drawing on a user-centred design perspective, the purpose of this paper is to (i) provide an overview of three contextual user research methods, namely, spatial walkthroughs, experience curve mapping and card sorting, (ii) exemplify their applications in different case studies and (iii) compare the methods according to their contributions for the study of users’ workplace experiences. Previous workplace studies with qualitative approaches mainly rely on methods such as interviews and observations. Although these methods provide rich data, the understanding of office users, their use situations and finding more fitting workplace designs can benefit from deeper user experience insights.
Design/methodology/approach
Three methods and their variants were tested in studies of user experience in flexible offices: spatial walkthroughs, experience curve mapping and card sorting. The methods were tested during workshops and interviews in four case studies with a total of 114 participants.
Findings
Spatial walkthroughs were more immersive and provided the most insights on the actual context with respect to spatial design qualities, while experience curve mapping enabled understanding the temporal aspects of the user experience and card sorting enabled exploring user experiences with respect to predetermined spatial qualities and contextual aspects.
Originality/value
Spatial walkthroughs, experience curve mapping and card sorting methods have not previously been applied in workplace studies. They facilitate dialogue, participation and user involvement and provide insights for making evidence-based recommendations for designing or redesigning office environments that fit users’ needs and preferences.
User-centred workplace design
Flexible offices
Work environment
Qualitative methods
User involvement
Office evalations
Author
Maral Babapour Chafi
Chalmers, Industrial and Materials Science, Design and Human Factors
Antonio Cobaleda Cordero
Chalmers, Industrial and Materials Science, Design and Human Factors
Journal of Corporate Real Estate
1463-001X (ISSN) 1479-1048 (eISSN)
Vol. 24 1 4-20 ahead-of-printDriving Forces
Sustainable development
Innovation and entrepreneurship
Areas of Advance
Building Futures (2010-2018)
Health Engineering
Subject Categories
Other Engineering and Technologies
Psychology
Economics and Business
DOI
10.1108/JCRE-12-2020-0069