Human-Centered Design: From Synthesis to Creative Ideas

Here are some aspects we found interesting about the pictures.

• There are colorful paintings on the wall, which might be painted by an amateur as a hobby. The wall looks like the room has been used for quite some time.
• Twelve eggs are stored next to the sink, in close reach. Some of them are only empty shells, maybe used for crafting.
• The oven space is occupied with home appliances and miscellaneous items. Those will be easy to reach, but it would be hard to use the oven for baking.
• The two dogs are wearing outfits. They seem to be very dear to the owner, who maybe sewed the clothing. The person might be an elderly, retired woman who has time for these activities.

Now, let us try to answer the questions based on the aspects we found noteworthy:

What do you think this person does in his/her life (occupation)?
This person is retired. She might have worked in a creative job, but now she spends a lot of time around her house (paintings on the wall).

What do you think this person does in his/her free time (hobbies)?
She loves cooking (stores lots of eggs), but not baking (the oven is filled with household wares and is probably not used often). She likes to paint (paintings on the wall) and craft things (dog outfits).

What is valuable to them? What is important in their lives?
Her dogs are very important to her - actually, the dogs are like family for her. She seems to live alone, her dogs might be her main company. She dresses them and provides special places for them.

What is difficult in their life? What bugs them?
In her older age, the household work becomes a bit overwhelming for her. She keeps her eggs in close reach so that she doesn’t have to move too much when she cooks, and her oven is full of items because she wants to store them in an easy-to-reach position.

Describe this person in one sentence.
This elderly lady is often in her home and occupies herself with crafting, cooking, and taking care of her dogs.

In the next step, you will see four photos from the life of another person and take your own guess about them.