Thanks to my adventures with Future Gov I have spent the last couple of weeks visiting new places and meeting new people. The official term for this activity is called ‘Contextual Interviews’ but I think of it as a conversation that is dependent on me being a really good listener. I echo what the team at Engine think about this:
“The researcher has the sensitive challenge of conducting an interview without it seeming to be an interview, but rather a chat where questions and answers are exchanged in both directions. The best way to do this is to avoid taking notes (occasionally skirting off to the toilet to write them down before you forget!).”
We all admire those who know how to talk to people, or have the innate ability to easily engage in a conversation even in an unfamiliar gathering. I suppose some people believe that you are born with the natural ability to talk to people or you have what is called the gift of the gab.
However, the ability to talk or convey ideas whether in a small group or up on stage before a large audience is not an innate ability but an acquired skill. It can be learned, enhanced, and perfected. All you need are the right information and the determination to do it.
This got me thinking about the students and young designers out there who interview people as part of their research.. there isn’t really any information directed at how to interview as part of the design / co-design / co-creation process. I do believe it is a special skill and you have to practice and learn it.
Here are some tips that were top of my list:
- Be presentable
- Think about it before hand
- Be respectful
- Look them in the eye
- Turn your phone off
- Listen
- Establish rapport
- Be positive
- Smile
There is a nice little video from the IIT Institute of Design who believe ethnography and interviewing are how we, as designers, see the world through other people’s eyes and get them to tell us their stories.
Getting People to Talk: An Ethnography & Interviewing Primer from Gabe & Kristy on Vimeo.
Redjotter 
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Completely agree! Being able to ‘talk’ is something that can be learned and practiced upon. Fair enough you have the ‘gift of the gab’ but do you know how to ask the right questions to get the information you need, do you know when not to talk and to really listen? These skills need to be built and learned upon.
I had took part in a focus group today that was looking at setting up Creative Enterprises within further education systems. Things that are tailored to your needs. He asked what other things need to be taught as part of this enterprise and I suggested learning to talk! Being able to articulate yourself and essential sell yourself is a HUGE skill to have but it is something that needs to be taught and pushed in education. This is what gives you the confidence to get out there, to go to these social gatherings, to present, to ask questions, to represent yourself. Why would this not be an important part of any curriculum?
Vanilla Ink :)
Teaching is a great way to learn all about the highs, lows and pitfalls of this! Thanks for posting that IIT video too, great one for my students.
You are very welcome Andy :) hopefully they will be tweeting about it!
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