UX Researcher
A Design Element for A Merit-Funded Research Project
Reimagining a board game to conduct research on Internet Infrastructure in Rural Communities
Timeline
September 2023 - December 2024
Tools
Adobe Illustrator, Miro
What was the problem?
Rural participants need a comfortable and engaging way to share their experiences and insights in order to provide valuable feedback on the connectivity challenges they face and inform the design of infrastructure that better meets their localized needs.
My Role & Process
As a research assistant, I worked along side Dr. Jean Hardy, an Assistant Professor and completed an end-to-end research process.
Define
Ideation
Prototype
Test
Analyze
Phase 2
Phase 3
Reiterate
Implement
Analyze
Click on the phases and numbers above to easily navigate!
Phase 1
1. Define
To encourage active participation and make the process more engaging, we would create an interactive game that allows rural residents to comfortably share their experiences and insights, providing valuable feedback on the connectivity challenges they face and helping to inform the design of more localized infrastructure solutions.
2. Ideation
Brainstorming Session
What kind of game could foster collaboration, evoke past experiences, and encourage participants to share stories while still being fun?
In a one-hour brainstorming session, Dr. Jean Hardy and I explored various game ideas such as Clue, Monopoly, and The Game of Life. We ultimately found that The Game of Life was the perfect fit—it’s a more upbeat, positive game that many people are familiar with from their childhood. This familiarity makes it an ideal way to help participants reflect on their past while creating a comfortable and engaging environment.
Sketching
How exactly will this game look? What will change to make it more similar to rural life?
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I sketched several ideas for enhancing the board design and mapping out the game’s path.
Phase 2
3. Prototype
I created a rough prototype using cardboard and paper to bring our concept into a physical form. This allowed us to explore and visualize the idea more tangibly. We then held a collaborative workshop to sketch out and refine ideas, setting a foundation for the project’s development.
Next, I developed a refined prototype based on our solidified ideas, incorporating a cleaner, more polished design. This version was prepared for testing with a group to gather feedback and validate our concepts.
4. Test
Testing Group #1
We initially tested the prototype with a research lab group of four participants, who played through the game and provided feedback.
Key insights:
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Balancing the positive and negative spaces for each player
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Adding more "payday" events toward the game’s end
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Incorporating additional internet-related spaces, as the dice rolls didn’t frequently lead players to those areas
Testing Group #2
Next, we tested the game with two game design professors who provided valuable insights.
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Key insights:​
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Adding a unique colored space to represent infrastructural breakdowns that would impact all players upon passing
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Testing with diverse groups from various backgrounds to broaden the game’s applicability and relevance
5. Analyze
Audio Recordings
Following feedback from both testing groups, I reviewed session recordings to analyze participants' interactions with the game. This analysis provided deeper insights into gameplay dynamics, participant engagement, and areas needing refinement based on observed behaviors and feedback.
Key insights:
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​The concept's ability to spark conversation especially if people knew one another
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Players became frustrated when they encountered too many negative aspects
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Participants enjoyed a gamification to share their experiences
Spaces
Next, I analyzed which spaces impacted gameplay most, focusing on participant reactions during the sessions. Based on these insights, we adjusted or removed certain spaces to improve the overall experience and flow of the game.
Excel Spreadsheet of Game Spaces
Phase 3
6. Reiterate
Using the feedback and analysis from the testing sessions, I refined the original design and elements to enhance gameplay. I transitioned to Adobe Illustrator to create a cleaner, more polished version of the game, moving closer to the final design. Working digitally allowed for easy adjustments, ensuring the design aligned with our updated vision.
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Key elements:
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Balanced the game spaces to include positive, negative, and internet-related topics for a well-rounded experience
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Incorporated design elements aimed at trying to get players to reflect on their own rural experiences
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Optimized the game’s length and layout to enhance engagement and maintain a steady pace for participants
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Digital Copy of Game Design
7. Implement
Audio Recordings
Following feedback from both testing groups, I reviewed session recordings to analyze participants' interactions with the game. This analysis provided deeper insights into gameplay dynamics, participant engagement, and areas needing refinement based on observed behaviors and feedback.
Key insights:
-
​The concept's ability to spark conversation especially if people knew one another
-
Players became frustrated when they encountered too many negative aspects
-
Participants enjoyed a gamification to share their experiences
Spaces
Next, I analyzed which spaces impacted gameplay most, focusing on participant reactions during the sessions. Based on these insights, we adjusted or removed certain spaces to improve the overall experience and flow of the game.
Excel Spreadsheet of Game Spaces
8. Analyze
Affinity Diagram
I analyzed qualitative data using an affinity diagram on Miro, identifying seven key themes and five impactful quotes to guide the project's conclusions.
