The LUCID project used a wide variety of emerging mobile technologies to engage users with content. The content varied from GPS location trails to special offers from retail outlets. The project’s route to engaging with users was to offer a ‘menu’ of options for them to test. This technology push approach can often demonstrate to users novel ways to use technology that they may not have been immediately familiar with. LUCID has been successful in demonstrating to both members of the public and to businesses the potential for mobile-based applications in many areas of public life.
Understanding users is key to developing digital products that have the potential to be commercially successful for regional businesses. Many commentators argue that we’re witnessing a significant period of change in how users consume media and incorporate technology into their everyday lives. The notion of ‘Cognitive Surplus’ as identified by Clay Shirky is a useful term to understand how the shift from linear media forms (such as television), to more interactive forms (such as wikis and blogs) creates a user-need for new services. These new services should engage users as contributors and producers rather than just recipients of information. LUCID’s varied approach to user-engagement took this on board for some of the demonstrators (such as the QR trail game) but others utilised the technology to push content without any engagement from the user side.
Posted by daveharte on March 31, 2009
Tags: Understanding Users
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