Appropriate Uses

Method can be applied to different settings such as the users home life, working life, business trips, holidays etc. The missions may also be set to reflect the focus of the study e.g. photo things that you value, things that save you time, places where you display information, etc.

Procedure

1. Define study goals and missions: A number of goals for the study are defined and photo study missions are planned to meet those goals. e.g. Take photos of 5 things you value most about your home.
2. Prepare materials: For each user create a mission pack. Each mission is printed onto a slip of paper and inserted into an envelope with a mission number printed on it. Each envelope is sealed so that the subject can only see and carry out one mission at a time. A photo diary is also created where subjects record what each images shows and why they chose it.
3. User recruitment: Users are recruited to assist with the photo study. They may be lent a camera to take the photos or use their own camera.
4. Data collection: Users may take the photos in their own time. They should be given 1-2 weeks to carry out the study but with a clear deadline for returning the photos and diary.
5. Data assembly and capture: The photos for each mission across all users are grouped together. Photo album software may be used for this. Alternatively they may be assembled into a Word table or into Excel where the written descriptions can be added to each picture.
6. Interpretation: The evaluator views each set of pictures and draws out common themes. These are considered and opportunities for developing new systems or products or barriers. A focus group with members of the design team may be conducted to identify the relevant themes and design ideas.

Participants and Other Stakeholders

• Participants relevant to the study (e.g. householders, clerical staff, maintenance engineers, etc.)
• Evaluator organizing the photo study.
• Design team members or human factors staff to assist with evaluating the photos.

Materials Needed

• Paper and envelopes with specified ‘missions’.
• Digital or conventional camera(s) to capture images. These may be provided for the study or the participants may use their own.
• Relevant software to assemble the data.

Who Can Facilitate

A photo study may be carried out by human factors personnel and usability specialists with skills in organizing a study and visual skills in analyzing the photographic data. They should have a good rapport with the participants so that they are clear what they need to do. It may also be necessary to remind them politely to complete the photographic session.

Common Problems

• Users are unsupervised so may not follow the study instructions correctly.
• Photos may capture personal details e.g. details of a written note that should not be reproduced in the report.

Data Analysis Approach

The photos for each mission across all users are grouped together. Photo album software may be used for this. Alternatively they may be assembled into a Word table or into Excel where the written descriptions can be added to each picture.

The evaluator views each set of pictures and draws out common themes. These are considered and opportunities for developing new systems or products or barriers. Follow up interviews with individuals can elicit further information about the images. A focus group with members of the design team may be conducted to identify the relevant themes and design ideas.

Next Steps

The results are used as background to help in generating user requirements for new products or services. The study might also lead to a more focused study where potential users are asked to comment on design ideas or new services that relate to the photos taken. If a product concept is already being developed, a discussion session may be held to tease out findings that might affect a proposed design.