Designing Out-Of-Box Experiences for Older Adults: Exploring the Boundaries of Inclusive Design
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Designing Out-of-Box Experiences for Older Adults: Exploring the boundaries of Inclusive Design by Alison B. Burrows A Doctoral Thesis Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of Doctor of Philosophy of Loughborough University (March 2013) © by A. B. Burrows, 2013 Certificate of Originality Thesis Access Conditions and Deposit Agreement Students should consult the guidance notes on the electronic thesis deposit and the access conditions in the University’s Code of Practice on Research Degree Programmes Author…………...……………………………………………………………………………………… Title……………………………………………………………………………………………………… I [Please insert name and address], “the Depositor”, would like to deposit [Please insert title of dissertation], hereafter referred to as the “Work”, once it has successfully been examined in Loughborough University Institutional Repository Status of access OPEN / RESTRICTED / CONFIDENTIAL Moratorium Period…………………………………years, ending…………../…………20………………………. 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Author's signature……………………………………..Date…………………………………...…………...… user’s declaration: for signature during any Moratorium period (Not Open work): I undertake to uphold the above conditions: Date Name (CAPITALS) Signature Address ii Abstract This thesis investigates the Out-of-Box Experience (OoBE) of interactive consumer products for older adults, with a view to improve the User Experience (UX) of a product by manipulating factors of the OoBE. This research emerges in the context of current demographic trends, which see people living longer and in better health, and the increasing ubiquity of technology in modern life. The OoBE describes the very first stages of interaction with a new product, including acquisition, unpacking and setup. This crucial initial experience has the potential to influence product acceptance and therefore determine its future use. Creating a positive OoBE requires an empathic understanding of the intended users, as well as contextual knowledge about current practices. A review of the literature revealed that many of the difficulties older adults experience with technology concern elements of the OoBE, such as complicated documentation, technical jargon and inadequate support for inexperienced users. However, the absence of research on how to engage older adults during the OoBE of new technology reinforced the need for further research. To this end, two user studies were conducted with older people, followed by a design study with designers. The first study explored older adults’ relationship with technology and their current practices of the OoBE, using the Technology Biography method. The second study used cultural probes to investigate the social side of UX and its effect on personal feelings of independence. Data from these two studies were used to create four personas, which were used in the design study. This third and final study focused on whether the construct of social benefits could be operationalised within the OoBE of new technology. Collectively, the findings indicated that the involvement of other people during the OoBE can be a strong motivator for older people to take up and use technology. Far from impinging on individual perceptions of independence, some older people actively manipulate the OoBE in order to derive social benefits. This research thus contributes to the discussion of how Inclusive Design can evolve through the incorporation of social benefits, in order to generate desirable and successful future products. Keywords: Inclusive Design, older adults, User Experience, Out-of-Box Experience, new technology, social benefits, independence iii iv Acknowledgements The journey that has culminated with this thesis is far from an individual accomplishment. There have been several people who inspired, pushed and refined the work presented here. I am especially grateful to my supervisors, Dr Val Mitchell and Colette Nicolle, for their invaluable guidance, encouragement and support throughout. This thesis also benefitted from the contributions of my examiners, Dr Chris Lim and Dr Martin Maguire. Thanks are also due to Sharon Cook for her constructive feedback on my work. I would like to thank Dr Paula Trigueiros, Dr Alaster Yoxall and Professor Alastair Macdonald for steering me in the right direction. A big thank you to my participants for their willingness and enthusiasm to take part in the research. In particular, I would like to thank Dr Carolina Escobar- Tello and Ksenija Kuzmina for sharing their creativity and insights with me. A special thank you to David May, who perhaps does not realise how helpful he has been to this project. This project has, of course, had its own social benefits (with the occasional mojitamin for good measure). Thank you, Dr Chris Parker, Carlos Aceves, Luis Oliveira, Karthikeyan Ekambaram and Graham Hancox for making ESRI/LDS 2.24 a fun place to work. And to Andrew Weeks, for keeping us all in line. Last but not least, my motivators. Hugh, Jean, Vivien, Chris and Ana, you have cheered me on and done your best to keep me sane – lots of love to you! How fortunate I have been. v vi Publications Burrows, A, Mitchell, V and Nicolle, C (2011). ‘All together now: factors that foster older adults’ feelings of independence’. Proceedings of Senses & Sensibility in the Right Place – 6th UNIDCOM/IADE International Conference, Lisbon Burrows, A, Mitchell, V and Nicolle, C (2011). ‘Designing in social benefits’. Proceedings of Include 2011, Royal College of Art, London Burrows, A, Mitchell, V and Nicolle, C (2010). ‘The over-50s and their motivation for using technology’. Proceedings of Universal Design 2010, Hamamatsu, Japan Burrows, A, Mitchell, V and Nicolle, C (2010). ‘Out-of-Box Experiences: An opportunity for inclusive design’. Proceedings of CWUAAT 2010, Cambridge vii viii Table of contents 1 INTRODUCTION 1 1.1 Motivation for the research 1 1.2 Scope 6 1.3 Aim and objectives 7 1.3.1.1 Research stages 8 1.4 Structure of the thesis 10 2 LITERATURE REVIEW 15 2.1 Inclusive Design 15 2.1.1 Philosophy 15 2.1.2 The demographic imperative 18 2.1.2.1 The meaning of ‘old’ 19 2.1.2.2 The needs of an ageing population 20 2.1.3 Older adults and technology 22 2.1.3.1 Moving beyond an abilities-centric view 23 2.1.3.2 Generational divide 25 2.1.3.3 Looking past the barriers 27 2.2 User Experience 30 2.2.1 The ongoing quest for a definition 30 2.2.1.1 Beyond instrumental 31 2.2.1.2 Emotion and