Artifact Analysis
A Design Anthropology technique where the researcher gathers artifacts and analyze the same that shows observable evidence of characteristics and cultural contexts.
“A systematic examination of the material, aesthetic, and interactive qualities of objects contribute to an understanding of their physical, social, and cultural contexts.”
Nature & context
Design Anthropology, User Research, Data Analysis
Resources
Artifacts, notes, camera, well lit room to conduct analysis of artifacts.
Procedure
Before: Understand the context and identify artifacts that can help provoke thoughts as well as understand the cultural practices. Segregate artifacts and decide on the property that needs to be looked at like its aesthetics, materiality etc. Ensure that the artifact collection is not random and collected together to signify a community and its culture.
During: Analyze the artifact well beyond just its appearance. While aesthetics is one of the properties to be looked at, importance is to be given to how the artifact is used across the community to understand their practices and culture.
After: Unlike verbal probes, artifact analysis completely depends on how the researcher looks at it. In order to verify that the analysis is relevant and not based on assumptions, review the same with other research data collected about the community or conduct a participatory session with community members to verify the authenticity of analysis.
Use Case
While I have not done artifact analysis explicitly and hence unsure if my use case is relevant, As a part of understanding designer’s workspace and tools, we interviewed a knitter. One of her tools was an antique “Yarn making machine” that she even had a name for, that was made in the 1800s. Clearly, the one artifact was enough to understand how much the designer values the art of knitting. Where there are opportunities to buy yarns in the store, the designer’s choice to keep making the yarn shows how valuable and meaningful that artifact is to her.
Sense Making Data
As a research technique, focus needs to be not on the object itself but its properties such as form and materiality (relevant to the context) as well as usage with respect to the community's culture that in turn will help improve and iterate on the insights generated during the initial research phase.