To make sure the NeuroSpicy Planner truly meets the diverse needs of its users—so many people, so many perspectives—I decided to test it by designing cultural probe, adapted to my no-budget situation.
What are cultural probes?
A cultural probe is a carefully crafted collection of tools and tasks designed to provoke personal reflection and elicit creative responses. Common elements of a probe might include handwritten journals, disposable cameras, personalised maps, or evocative prompts. Participants are encouraged to engage with these tools in their own time, documenting their thoughts, feelings, and experiences in a way that feels natural to them.
Unlike surveys or structured interviews, cultural probes deliberately avoid rigid frameworks. Their open-ended nature invites participants to share stories, interpretations, and nuances that might otherwise remain hidden. As such, the data collected through cultural probes is rich, textured, and deeply personal.
How to use cultural probes for design insights
In the realm of design and innovation, cultural probes stand out as a uniquely human-centred approach to uncovering the intricate layers of daily life. Originally conceptualised by Bill Gaver, Tony Dunne, and Elena Pacenti in the late 1990s, cultural probes offer a way to move beyond quantitative metrics, diving instead into the emotional, experiential, and subjective dimensions of human behaviour. By embracing curiosity and creativity, cultural probes challenge traditional research methods and open doors to unexpected insights.
The idea of cultural probes was introduced to me by my friend Rolf, and I found it fascinating—a sort of behind-the-scenes look into the lives of users. The concept offered an intriguing way to bridge the gap between design and real-world application. However, I was immediately concerned about the cost. Many articles and websites suggested elaborate kits resembling Christmas packages, complete with disposable cameras, custom notebooks, and other personalised items. While inspiring, this approach felt out of reach for my no-budget project.
The origins and evolution of cultural probes
The concept of cultural probes emerged from the field of interaction design. Gaver and his collaborators sought to create a method that prioritised empathy and inspiration over precision. By encouraging participants to reflect on their own lives, cultural probes became a bridge between the worlds of design and lived experience. Over time, this method has been adopted and adapted across disciplines, from healthcare to urban planning, as researchers and designers seek to capture the complexity of human experience.
Why use cultural probes?
The value of cultural probes lies in their ability to:
- Inspire creative design solutions: By engaging with the subjective experiences of participants, designers can generate ideas that resonate on a personal level.
- Foster empathy and connection: Cultural probes offer a window into the lives of others, helping researchers and designers to understand diverse perspectives.
- Reveal subtle dynamics: Through their open-ended approach, probes uncover nuances and emotions that might be overlooked in more structured research methods.
Designing an effective cultural probe
Creating a cultural probe requires careful thought and attention to detail. Here are key steps to consider:
- Clarify your objectives: What specific aspects of participants’ experiences are you hoping to explore?
- Select engaging tools: Choose methods that spark curiosity and creativity, such as sketching, photo diaries, or question cards.
- Encourage open-ended responses: Avoid prescriptive instructions, allowing participants to interpret tasks in their own way.
- Facilitate reflection: Frame tasks in a way that prompts participants to think deeply about their feelings and behaviours.
- Document insights comprehensively: Capture not only participants’ responses but also their process of engagement with the probe.
Applying cultural probes to the NeuroSpicy Planner
Recently, I embarked on a project to refine the design of my NeuroSpicy Planner, a planning tool tailored for neurodivergent individuals. The idea of using cultural probes came from a discussion with my friend Rolf, who highlighted their potential for uncovering deep insights. Drawing on the method’s rich history, I’ve implemented probes both offline and online.
With a modest budget, I crafted my cultural probe using PDF versions of all the planner’s pages—daily, weekly, and monthly layouts in both portrait and landscape orientations, as well as habit trackers and other tools. These were shared online, accompanied by a Google Form with open-ended questions to gather user feedback. As an additional layer of engagement, I invited participants to photograph their use of the NeuroSpicy Planner in action. For privacy reasons, the image featured in this blog is my own.
Offline, I’m collaborating with two professional autism specialists. These trusted collaborators are helping me test various planner layouts and providing invaluable feedback. Online, I’ve distributed the planner to members of autism support groups, using the feedback from the Google Form to refine the design.
The feedback process
To ensure meaningful insights, I’m developing a dual-purpose questionnaire. This includes:
- Feedback on the current design: What aspects of the planner do participants find helpful or challenging?
- Exploration of user needs: What features or structures would best support their planning processes?
Broader implications for design
The NeuroSpicy Planner project is a reminder that design is a deeply collaborative process. By involving end-users through cultural probes, I hope to create a tool that not only meets practical needs but also resonates emotionally. This approach underscores a broader truth: great design emerges from understanding and engaging with the complexity of human experience.
Final thoughts on cultural probes
Cultural probes are an invitation to see the world through someone else’s eyes. Their playful and creative nature makes them a powerful tool for uncovering insights that lie beyond the surface. For me, the biggest insight has been the diversity of needs and preferences among users. This has reinforced the importance of flexibility and personalisation in designing tools for neurodivergent individuals.
Whether you are a designer, researcher, or simply curious about the human condition, cultural probes offer a pathway to richer understanding and connection. Have you used cultural probes in your work, or would you like to try? Share your experiences and ideas in the comments. I’d love to hear how this method could inspire your projects!