Our+user+research

[[image:spring-board_logo.jpg width="208" height="99" link="Springboard"]]
A fresh new mobile software which allows you to Spring into Conversation on the subways of Toronto!

USER RESEARCH

**a. Interview Plan**
//**Possible Questions for User Study**//

Start off questions [1] Do you enjoy travelling alone or with someone? [2] What do you do to make your travel time pass easily when you are alone? [3] Do you feel comfortable with strangers if you have something in common with them?

Gaining knowledge about Encounters on Subway [1] How do you feel about engaging in conversations, or networking with fellow commuters? [2] Have you ever wanted to start a conversation and did you or if not, what stopped you? [3] Has someone ever started a conversation with you, what sparked it?

//**b. User Study Challenge**//
Interview questions were rephrased after our first attempt to interview. We realized that this needed to be done due to the nature of transit : noise, crowd. Questions above were too formal as well, they felt very rigid while talking to strangers and asking for their input. Often they needed to be light and friendly, especially at the beginning to make the commuter feel comfortable with our invasion of their space.

how often do you travel? what purpose do you use transit for ? do you enjoy traveling alone? how do you make travel time go faster? Do you ever talk to strangers sitting by you? Do you find your more comfortable to begin conversation if strangers share something in common with you? What topics spark conversations? How do you go about talking to someone? What are some reasons that may stop you?

**c. Results**
Person I / Woman playing sudoku when we approached her. infrequent transit commuter said certain people don't want to talk. hard question to answer wouldn't want to talk to strangers. does not like TTC, feels GO is more comfortable (infrequent stops)

Person II / Woman Uses TTC to go to work everyday Travels alone Occasionally talks to strangers Reads or sleeps to make time go faster Thinks socialization on TTC can be a good / bad thing. Rude Stares puts her off from conversing ("happens to most people") Good starters for conversation are babies and dogs. Wouldn't mind talking to strangers in general, pays attention to their intentions for starting conversation.

Person III / Man Travels long distance, feels it is convenient for getting to work. Feels that TTC is too crowded and a tight space to engage in meaningful conversation. Is more interested in technology that makes traveling easier by being more informative. Such as screens that tell commuters about delays or where they are delayed in the system (location wise) Thinks socialization is benefiting, recognizes space as having potential. Need a way to engage for networking. Word of mouth really helps (to find work) Advertisement of potential jobs, TTC should adopt topics commuters can relate to. Wants something useful to do while traveling, however does like the relaxation travel time offers.