The UX of Hair (Week 1)

Brief: Design a way to intensify how we experience human hair. Research Methods: Directed storytelling and bodystorming

Team: Hong Zhou, Akriti Goel, Kye Li Chia, Sushi Sylvestor

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We wanted to explore the effect of experiencing hair through comments that people receive on their hair, and whether your gender influences this, because during our discussions, we noticed the females in the group had encountered this more, and we wanted to know if this was a wider trend.

We interviewed our participants then reviewed the transcripts, highlighting any common themes or parts we found interesting.

Reviewing the directed storytelling as a group. Photo by author

Whilst not asked directly, several people told us about their hair loss, leading us to understand that hair loss can be a part of an individual's experience with hair andhasa significant impact upon them.

Clips from interviewee's. Complied by author

We took extracts from the interviewees and created flashcards of scenarios we could use for bodystorming.

Bodystorming props and cue cards. Photo by author

We played out many different scenarios in relation to hair loss, expanding it from the interviewee experiences into other aspects of life, to first-hand experience these environments and feelings.

Bodystorming scenarios. Complied by author, video credits by author, Sushil Sylvestor, Kye Li Chia, Hong Zhou, Akriti Goel

These scenarios and the interviewee's responses acknowledged the physical loss of hair, so for the prototype, we decided to create an experience to a participant on the physical sensation of hair loss.

During the process of bodystorming and developing the prototype concept, we debated the appropriateness and sensitivity of the nature of the topic, and several times we hesitated to take this forward.

The prototype was made of a fine fabric, chosen for ease of production, with strands of wool pulled through, some tied in, some left loose, so when a wearer runs their hand through it, the loose strands will fall out.

Development of final prototype. Photo credits: Kye Li Chia, Akriti Goel, Akriti Goel

We undertook tests to establish if this would create the sensation and effect desired, and we had to make amendments on the length of 'hair' and the quantity of loose vs secured hairs.

Participant for our experience in interim presentation. Video credits: Sushil Sylvestor

In the presentation, our participant demonstrated the head piece, exclaiming "What is happening?!" in response to the hair loss, working as intended.

The feedback we received included:

• To make it more real, try considering hair colour and style of a wig etc

• This could be performed within everyday tasks (washing, brushing)

• What is our message?

• This could be sensitive for people who have encountered this themselves

• The process between research and outcome was clear, but is this prototype the way to go?

• To gain even more insight by interviewing again based on this topic specifically.

In the following tutorial we asked whether this was a topic we should be avoiding rather than pursuing; the tutors encouraged us to take on the difficult topics if it was done with consent, sensitivity, and respect. The advised us to engage with interviewees already involved to validate and review our development, to ensure we stay true to their experiences.

In my perspective, the week went well - the group was very cohesive, we bounced off each other and had a lot of fun alongside more meaningful conversations where we could trust the group to be kind and respectful when sharing or discussing more emotional topics.