top of page
Uni work
Research for Design
Duration: 2 months
Type of work: Individual work
Topics: Desk Research, User research
First of all, I had to find a subculture that I hadn't had any contact with yet. I opted for the skater subculture. The skater subculture in The Hague is a dynamic and diverse community that is often overlooked, but has a significant impact on the urban landscape and youth culture of the city. This project aimed to explore the subculture in more detail, understand its characteristics and identify potential design directions for future projects.
Project description
1. Exploration of the skater subculture: Through observation and interviews, I should research the skater subculture in The Hague in depth to understand its values, practices and community dynamics.
2. Data collection and interpretation: I analysed the collected data from various sources, including interviews, observations and descriptive research, to get a comprehensive picture of the skater subculture.
3. Identification of design directions: Based on the collected data, I developed design directions that address the needs, values and aesthetics of the skater community in The Hague.
Goals
1. Selection of a subculture: identification and selection of the skater subculture in The Hague as the object of research.
2. Desk research: Compilation of results from existing research on skater subcultures and relevant socio-cultural trends.
3. Observation: participation in skater events and observation of behaviours, interactions and environments.
Documentation of visual observations and field notes from the observation proces
4. Semi-structured interviews: Conducting semi-structured interviews with members of the skater community to capture their perspectives and experiences.
5. Interviews with triggers: In-depth interviews with key figures within the skater subculture to gain a deeper understanding of their motivations and visions.
6. Organisation and preparation of the collected data in the form of data sets for further analysis and use.
Process
The following design directions were my final solutions:
1. Design direction
A possibility for skaters to increase their own safety during skate sessions by creating protection that blends seamlessly with the skater's style and support the agility and freedom of movement for preserving the skater's identity and maintaining the authenticity during skating.
Based on the following user insight:
Wearing protective gear undermine the authenticity of the way of skateboarding (user insight 1).
Description:
A big and controversial topic in the skate community is that wearing protective gear undermines the authenticity of the way of skateboarding. The problem is: skateboarding as itself is a dangerous sport which can cause many injuries that can often be avoided with adequate protection. Therefore, this design direction aims to provide skaters of all ages and genders with a way to skate safely, but also to ensure that skaters can move freely and unimpeded without the protection being noticeable. In this way, skaters should be able to ensure their safety without compromising the authenticity and individual expression of their skate style. This design direction is particularly exciting as it is about the balance between protection and maintaining authenticity in skateboarding.
2. Design direction
Allow skaters to define and express their individuality within the skate community and find sources of inspiration & motivation to push boundaries of the skills by creating a place where skaters can share their skate successes and personal style but also to follow the progress and successes of other skaters.
Based on the following user insight:
Skaters strive to express their individuality through a unique skate style and creative self-expression within the skate community (user insight 2). Skaters find inspiration & motivation in the skate community, both in real life and on social media, for pushing the boundaries of their skills (user insight 4).
Description:
This design direction provides an opportunity for skaters for whom it is important to strive to express their individuality through a unique skate style and creative self-expression within the skate community, but also for those who are looking for inspiration and motivation for pushing the boundaries of their skills. Specifically, this design direction aims to create a place (online or in real life) where skaters can share their skills, personal style, and unique stories with the entire skate community. At the same time, this place allows skaters to follow the progress and successes of other skaters to be motivated to push their own limits of skill. Furthermore, this design direction is intended to encourage the sharing of experiences, provide mutual inspiration, and promote the strengthening of the community, while at the same time supporting each skater's ability to express their own individuality.
© 2024 by Louis Bokowits.
bottom of page