#gumpdc

The first post is that of an infographic that shows a brainstorming idea coming to fruition, and that is how I see the design leadership final project. It started as a list of ideas, transitioned into one idea, and then, with input from classmates, I was able to widdle it down into a clean, proposed idea: a phone application that restricts certain parts of a phone. Without the input, it would have been much more rough around the edges, and not have covered issues only seen by beta testing (or asking questions).

Visual Diary 5: A “Disconnected” Find

I did a more subjective ethnography in the form of a questionnaire on Typeform with 52 responses from friends. I asked a few questions to understand my friend’s personal habits and behaviors when using their mobile devices during dinner with a group of 3-5 people. Through a different point of view, I asked them on their level of comfort when someone else uses a mobile device and their opinion on how mobile interactions impacted social engagements. What I found is a much deeper disconnect between those who are frustrated with others being on their phone versus those who are unable to be involved in a conversation and resort to using their devices. 

In a sea of discontent responses:

“There have been times that conversation has derailed due to mobile usage, when one party has needed to use their mobile device.”

“Mobile interactions can cause less social engagement in real life”

“It has impacted me somewhat. Before it has affected me a lot because I was constantly checking my phone and people were doing it, too. But, it may be because of my teenage years (16-21). From then on, I really did not like using my phone as much and want to be more engage with the people around me. I'll have my phone on the table, but turned around so I don't see the screen. I'll excuse myself to pick up important calls/repeated text msgs (family members or work related).”

“I like it to be available for emergencies, but I miss the days before phones when people were less distracted”

“In this age I feel like showing video shows and memes to each other is a large part of social engagement. Unfortunately for some, it can cause them to retreat into their phone and disengage without them realizing.”

“It has impacted it significantly and probably helped increased my introvert tendencies.”

“I don’t like it. It annoys me when I sit at a meal in a restaurant with one or more people and they are on their phones.”

“I think that mobile devices serve to connect us in more ways than ever before, but often encourage superficial interaction. Our attention spans are shorter than ever before. Our social circles are larger, and our time is more limited. This combines to foster superficial interactions as opposed to deeper ones. In our effort to keep up with ever increasing demands on our time, our face to face interactions can become compromised.”

“I prefer for them to not take over in person conversations, but if it is used rarely or to assist with a conversation I don't mind.”

There were a couple response that etched something different: 

Mobile devices “can help as a crutch in awkward situations”