Searching for user involvement in SME design practice


In this paper we investigate the current implementation of user involvement in the front end of the design process at small design agencies in the Netherlands. We focus specifically on these agencies since they struggle with the largest of problems for involving the user in the design process: smallest time, budget, knowledge and manpower. On the other hand, their size also brings advantages in areas where big companies have problems, e.g., coherence in focus, vision, and skills. As a result, for the SME domain, maybe different methods are needed than for the large companies. In the study we looked at the user research methodologies used, the problems encountered, the attitude towards and knowledge about users, and the types of information about users that these designers need or want to gain. The landscape of information regarding user involvement taking place in small design agencies will be used as a knowledge basis for further research on the use of guerilla user involvement methods.