Field Evaluation Tool

Location

Context Characteristic Level

A place and time where an experience design scene takes place.

Paris, France
Remote mountain cabin
Hospital waiting room in 1964
Chicago Subway platform

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Physical Dimensions

Context Characteristic Level

inside a courtyard of an african office complex with palm trees inside and walls are brown stone clad

The dimensions of physical spaces where experience design scenes take place.

A cramped airplane seat
Spacious art gallery
Narrow hallway
Massive open plains

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Weather

Context Dynamic Level

a sidewalk in a city completely covered in snow

Physical conditions in an indoor or outdoor setting.

Sudden rainstorm
Sweltering heat
Foggy morning
Comfortable air conditioning

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Sensory

Context Dynamic Level

Stimuli that can be perceived with the senses.

Loud construction noise
Fresh bread aroma
Dim lighting
Vibrating phone

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Available Resources

Context Dynamic Level

a top down view of dozens of objects used for creating things

Materials available for use in a setting.

Free WiFi
Water fountain
Charging station
Wheelchair ramp

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Non-User Actors

Context Dynamic Level

a mix of diverse people crowded into a subway

People and objects in a context that are not the intended experiencer.

Crying baby
Security guard
Service dog
Delivery robot

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Demographics

Context Complex Level

a close up on dozens of apartment balconies at night

The measurable qualities of people and people groups in a population.

College town
Retirement community
Tech hub
Rural farming area

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Laws

Context Complex Level

Physical and social conventions that govern settings.

No smoking policy
Speed limit
Parking restrictions
Building codes

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Time

Context Complex Level

a woman standing at a crosswalk in a downtown city with streaky cars and people racing by

The duration of time in which experience design scenes take place.

8 months until birth
All day to relax
One week of vacation
30-minute lunch break

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Cultural Makeup

Context Underlying Level

A group of 60 racially diverse people smiling at the camera with their arms raised

The variety of cultural expressions, traditions, languages, values, and beliefs that exist within a community.

Multilingual signage
Only fast-food options
High school football night
Religious plurality

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Hierarchy

Context Underlying Level

man viewing fireworks in a city from the roof

Power or influence relationships between variables in a context.

Corporate structure
Social status markers
A building dominates a skyline
Impending hurricane

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Interconnections

Context Underlying Level

Exchanges and interdependencies between components in experience design scenes.

Transit hub
Social network
Ecosystem
Communication web

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Social Climate

Context Core Level

protesters at night with signs that say "no justice no peace"

Perceived attitudes in a setting.

Welcoming vibe
Competitive energy
Fearful mood
Celebration spirit

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Social Norms

Context Core Level

a line of people waiting in front of a store for it to open

Unwritten "rules" that define acceptable behavior.

Quiet library
Tipping expected
Remove shoes
Eye contact varies

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Body Size

People Characteristic Level

A person's physical size.

Petite child
Plus-size shopper
Muscular athlete
Pregnant person

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Age

People Characteristic Level

How long a person has lived.

2 year-old Toddler
Middle-aged professional
84 year-old adult
Teenager

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Sex

People Characteristic Level

A person’s biological attributes that are typically assigned at birth but may be clarified or modified through development, medical evaluation, or medical interventions.

Female
Male
XX Intersex
XY Intersex

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Health Status

People Dynamic Level

man lying on couch with blanket over head sick

A person's physical and mental condition.

Chronic pain
High physical fitness
Fighting a cold
Managing depression

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Habits

People Dynamic Level

People's behavioral tendencies.

Checks phone constantly
Morning coffee ritual
Exercises daily
Procrastinates

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Body Movements

People Dynamic Level

The ways people physically move their bodies.

Walks with a cane
Fidgets nervously
Graceful dancer
Slouches

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Relationships

People Dynamic Level

man and woman holding each other and a dog

Ways people are connected to others.

New parent
Caregiver
Estranged sibling
Close friends

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Role

People Dynamic Level

The functions a person plays in different situations.

Team leader
Student learner
Customer
First-time visitor

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Gender Expression

People Dynamic Level

two people presenting as male putting on makeup in a mirror

The outward presentation of a person's gender through clothing, behavior, hairstyle, voice, and other expressive cues.

Masculine presentation
Feminine style
Androgynous look
Non-conforming dress

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Knowledge

People Complex Level

a woman standing in a library with lightbulbs, glowing orbs, and other fantastic things swirling around her head

Facts, information, experiences, and insights a person has acquired.

Expert programmer
Novice cook
Medical knowledge
Local insider

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Attention

People Complex Level

Concentration on the activity at hand.

Easily distracted
Multitasking
Hyper-aware
Zoned out

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Abilities

People Complex Level

Competence or skill to complete an activity.

Blind user
Skilled craftsperson
Limited mobility
Deaf community member

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Attitude

People Complex Level

A way of thinking or feeling about an activity, product, service, or system.

Enthusiastic supporter
Resistant to change
Optimistic outlook
Cynical perspective

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Race

People Complex Level

A person's perceived physical traits shaped by historical and cultural contexts.

Black
White
Asian
Indigenous

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Social Class

People Complex Level

A classification based on a person's socio-economic status, including factors such as income, education, and occupation.

Working class
Upper middle class
Experiencing poverty
Wealthy elite

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Personality

People Complex Level

person with bag over head and grapefruits for eyes

A person's distinctive character.

Extroverted networker
Introverted thinker
Risk-taker
Cautious planner

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Sexual Orientation

People Complex Level

Patterns of emotional, romantic, and/or sexual attraction to others.

Gay
Bisexual
Asexual
Heterosexual

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Subjective Norm

People Complex Level

A person's perception of how others will judge or expect them to behave.

Peer expectations
Family pressure
Community norms
Social media influence

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Language

People Underlying Level

The words, gestures, and symbols a person uses to communicate and express thoughts and emotions.

Native Spanish speaker
Sign language user
Bilingual communicator
Technical jargon

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Values

People Underlying Level

Fundamental beliefs about what is desirable and ideal.

Family first
Career-focused
Spiritual seeker
Social justice advocate

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Autonomy

People Underlying Level

a black woman standing in a powerful pose with arms wide and mountains behind her

The capacity to make choices and have control over one's own life.

Seeking control
Self-directed learner
Restricted choices
Empowered agent

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Competence

People Underlying Level

a woman creating a clay pot on a potter's wheel

The feeling of being effective and skilled in one's activities and interactions.

Building skills
Feeling capable
Struggling learner
Confident expert

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Culture

People Underlying Level

Shared beliefs, values, traditions, and behavioral patterns that shape how a group understands and interacts with the world.

Collectivist mindset
Individualist approach
Traditional practices
Cultural hybrid

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Intention

People Underlying Level

A person's determination to complete an activity.

Determined to succeed
Half-hearted effort
Uncertain purpose
Strong commitment

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Relatedness

People Underlying Level

a group of older adult women sitting at a table at an assisted living commnity

The feeling of being connected to others through meaningful relationships and interactions.

Feeling connected
Lonely isolation
Seeking belonging
Community member

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Sensations

People Core Level

Physical sensations such as pain or coldness.

Sharp pain
Comfortable warmth
Refreshing coolness
Unpleasant itch

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Mood

People Core Level

A person's underlying emotional state.

Joyful
Irritable
Melancholic
Peaceful

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Self-Concept

People Core Level

People's beliefs, perceptions, and evaluations about themselves.

Feeling inadequate
Strong sense of identity
Questioning oneself
Positive self-image

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Worldview

People Core Level

a man's silhouette looking out on a city in the distance

The lens through which a person interprets reality, shaping their assumptions about life, meaning, and the nature of the world.

Optimistic outlook
Pessimistic lens
Religious framework
Scientific perspective

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Dimensions/Scope

Design Characteristic Level

a group of colored glass jars and containers

The size of physical products and the breadth and complexity of services and systems.

Pocket-sized tool
Enterprise system
Miniature component
Large-scale service

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Material

Design Characteristic Level

Physical materials that comprise a designed outcome.

Stainless steel
Recycled plastic
Digital interface
Soft fabric

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Style

Design Characteristic Level

A design's distinctive appearance.

Minimalist aesthetic
Retro design
Playful colors
Professional finish

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Condition

Design Dynamic Level

A design's current state of functionality and upkeep.

Brand new
Well-worn
Broken screen
Pristine condition

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Operation

Design Dynamic Level

a black woman using a stylus to draw on an iPad screen

The sequence of steps required to use a product, service, or system.

Three-step process
Manual control
Voice activated
Touch interface

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Configuration

Design Dynamic Level

a top down view of furniture in a contemporary designed living room

A design's current phase or arrangement.

Folded compact
Expanded mode
Default settings
Adjustable position

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Usefulness

Design Complex Level

The relevancy of a designed outcome to people who use it for a purpose.

Solves real problem
Mostly decorative
Essential tool
Rarely needed

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Usability

Design Complex Level

How easily and effectively a user can operate a design to achieve their goals.

Intuitive interface
Confusing controls
Easy to learn
Requires training

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Accessibility

Design Complex Level

a black woman's hands using a page of braille to read

The measure of obstacles that prevent people from accessing a product, service, or system.

High contrast mode
Wheelchair accessible
Closed captions
Large buttons

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Sustainability

Design Complex Level

a pile of plastic bottles crumpled up for recycling

Design that meets present needs while ensuring long-term viability—environmentally, socially, and organizationally.

Cost-efficient operations
Recyclable materials
Low energy use
Maintainable over time

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Interaction

Design Core Level

A person's engagement with a product, service, or system.

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Affordances

Design Underlying Level

a white man holding a blue coffee mug by the handle

The actions a design makes possible or invites a user to perform.

Obvious handle
Push plate
Clickable link
Slidable control

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Desirability

Design Underlying Level

a top down view of a gourmet meal spread out on a table with gorgeous detail

The aesthetic, emotional, and symbolic appeal that makes a design attractive or compelling.

Status symbol
Emotional appeal
Aspirational brand
Delightful surprise

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Ethics

Design Underlying Level

The extent to which a design avoids harm and upholds fairness, responsibility, and integrity in its creation and use.

Fair trade sourced
Privacy-first
Transparent data use
Social responsibility

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Purpose

Design Underlying Level

The intended function or outcome a design exists to accomplish.

Enable communication
Provide shelter
Facilitate learning
Entertain users

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Meaning

Design Core Level

A design's functional, cultural, and emotional significance to those who use it.

Family heirloom
Cultural symbol
Memento
Status marker

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Memorability

Design Core Level

a white woman's hand holding a faded polaroid photo of an amusement park

Design that resonates emotionally with users and leaves lasting impressions.

Unforgettable experience
Lasting impression
Easily forgotten
Remarkable moment

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What activity are you observing? What is being done here?

What is the environment where this activity is taking place?

Who is the person or people doing the activity?

What is being used to complete the activity?

Activity:

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Context Factors

People Factors

Design Factors

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