Cultural Probe is a research tool used in the field of design to gain deeper insights into the user's culture, values, and experiences. It is a method that involves collecting a range of materials, such as photographs, videos, and personal stories, from participants to help designers understand the user's context and perspective. The goal of Cultural Probe is to uncover design opportunities that can enhance the user's experience and satisfaction with a product or service. One of the key advantages of Cultural Probe is that it allows designers to gather data in a non-intrusive way. Rather than relying on traditional methods such as surveys and interviews, Cultural Probe encourages participants to share their experiences and perspectives in their own way. This approach can lead to more authentic and meaningful insights that can inform the design process. Cultural Probe can also be used to identify cultural differences and similarities among users. By collecting materials from participants with diverse backgrounds, designers can gain a better understanding of how cultural factors can impact the user's experience. This information can then be used to create designs that are more inclusive and culturally sensitive. Overall, Cultural Probe is a valuable tool for designers who want to create products and services that are tailored to the user's needs and preferences. By collecting a range of materials from participants, designers can gain a deeper understanding of the user's culture, values, and experiences, which can then be used to inform the design process.
research tool, design, user experience, culture, non-intrusive
Cultural Probes are tools used in design research that help uncover design opportunities from the perspective of the user. They are designed to help designers learn about their users and the context in which they live, work, and play. Cultural Probes can include activities such as collecting stories, photographs, videos, and objects that may reveal important aspects of a user’s culture. They can also include activities such as interviews, focus groups, and observation. Cultural Probes are important to designers because they can provide insights into the user experience, which can then be used to inform the design process.
User-Centred Design, Design Thinking, Empathy, Participatory Design.
CITATION : "Ji-Soo Park. 'Cultural Probe.' Design+Encyclopedia. https://design-encyclopedia.com/?E=191796 (Accessed on July 17, 2025)"
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