OVERVIEW

Mobile technology has enabled users to work, socialize and create anywhere and anytime in a variety of ways. Advancements in mobile multimedia devices and their adoption by a growing number of consumers now allow the delivery of rich user experiences. Various network technologies and protocols such as GSM, WiFi, and Bluetooth provide a range of connective pos­sibilities that enhance social networks among mobile users. This infrastructure provides a vast potential research field and market for innovation in user experience through software and hardware development. Partnerships between academic institutions and commercial stakeholders provide an excellent opportunity to innovate in this highly competitive and expansive field. In 2005 OCAD established the Mobile Experience Lab to pursue research projects that bring together art practice, design and research methodology with software and hardware engineering capabilities.

The Lab has initiated a range of research projects that innovate in the areas of user interface, locative experiences, collaborative games and augmented reality narratives.

METHODOLOGY

The discovery of new product concepts and ensuring real-world results that support user-defined needs and desires requires that the Lab employ a series of innovative methodological approaches. These research methodologies are woven into the fundamental design process for applications and technology: in the design and prototyping of experiences, and in the end-product that is created for use by participants, players and users.

Participatory Design has been adopted as one methodology at the Lab in the development of mobile experiences. Users are brought in from the beginning of the concept and design stages and are consistently consulted during this design and engineering process. Key learnings are gathered from user involvement in this process including interface design issues, content development and functionality innovation.

Design charrettes, iterative design, think tanks and parallels between content production and engineering have also been used extensively throughout Lab projects to bring together and maximize the potential of researchers, designers and engineers from across Canada. These intensive methodologies consolidate, in a collaborative approach, the many strengths across institutions, disciplines and skill sets.

Brain, body and location storming techniques have also proven invaluable in the discovery of user perspectives. Collaborative free-form activities, both in studio and on location, are organized to conceptualize user needs.

The Lab, through its ongoing projects, will continue to develop research and design methodologies that focus on content creation and product innovation.