Goals
Our first step was to explore our design space. That meant observing the commuter's environment, talking to commuters, researching competitive products, and examining emerging technology.
Observations
We took advantage of Pittsburgh's public transportation system and hopped on some buses and road the T, Pittsburgh's subway and light rail system. Some observations we noted include:
- people holding their musical device
- people wearing Bluetooth headsets for their phones
- people keep bags on tap or close by, not on the floor
- limited space
Interviews
To find really get at the commuter's experience and feelings about listening to music during the commute, we set up our first interviewee, who happened to be a female in her late 20s. She brought to our attention potential differences in the commuting experience for women that we found intriguing enough that we decided to focus our target product for women in their 20s to 30s.
We interviewed three women in detail, and talked to a couple during our observation research. Our goal was to get at their underlying needs while also exploring opportunities for creating a product that has emotional value.
Interview Questions
Commuting
- Why do you commute?
- What don’t you like about the commute? What do you like?
- What would make the commute better?
- What do you need to know during your commute?
- What do you think about?
- How do you listen to music on the way to work?
- Why do you listen to music on the way to work?
- Is it about connecting with oneself? Personal time. Thinking time.
- Is the commute different between morning/night.
- How does commuting make you feel? Good? Anxious? Afraid? Why?
- Are the bags and clothing they use designed for the type of transport?
Environment
- What transportation do you use to get to (work, school..)?
- Is there anything that affect listening to music while travel? (weather , people , day,)
Device
- What are the most important features to you?
- What things cause problems? What would you change?
- Why do you use your device?
- Does it affect your life? How?
- If you could get a new device, what would you get?
Music
- What does music mean to people?
- Do you prefer any music during travel (on the way work) ? why ?
- Do you listen to playlists, albums, random, podcasts?
- Do you listen to anything other than music?
- How do you manage your music collection?
- How is your experience different if you don't listen to music on the way to work?
Physiological Questions
- What products do you like to touch? Hold?
Social
- How do you feel about being seen with the product?