I wrote this essay to communicate with myself in the future to remind the experiences and how I developed my thinking process while studying MA Design Futures at Goldsmiths, University of London. This essay will introduce and review my process and methods that would relate to studying in “MA Design Futures” and “Metadesign”.

1. My Methods
& Processes
Writer:
Perus Saranurak
The Report through
MA Design Futures
& Metadesign

2. Collecting
feedbacks
Organizing
communication
Synthesising or
crystalizing
AnalysingExploringGrouping
ideas
Seeking
interests and
curiosity
7654321
Known
Unknown
Planning
0
#scenario
#idea_m
apping
#share
value
and
capability
#paperprototype
#story
board
#literature
review
#video
review
(TED)
#lecture
attendance
#w
ord
clouds
#online
course
#discussion
#w
orking
diary
#post-itw
all
#synergy
w
heel
#book
arrangem
ent
#tetrahedron
#w
orkshop
#interview
#role
play
#userjourney
m
aps
#prototype
#prototype
(self)
#experim
ent
#tracking
program
#questionnaire
#quick
presentation
#charactordraw
ing
#w
riting
#speak
&
record
#explain
#diagram
#picture
#record
#film
#open-end
question
#discussion
#forum
#question
board
#classroom
#sharing
story
#dddd
#w
orking
diary

3. My Methods and Processes
The Report through MA Design Futures & Metadesign
Goldsmiths, University of London
MA Design Futures
Research Through and For Design
Writers:
Perus Saranurak
MA Design Future Student
Printed on the 29th May 2014
1st edition

4. 0
Content
How I Know....................................................................................................................................1
My Working Process....................................................................................................................2
My Tools.........................................................................................................................................7
(1)Word Clouds.........................................................................................................................7
(4)Tracking Program................................................................................................................9
(4)User Journey Maps .......................................................................................................... 11
(4)Questionnaire................................................................................................................... 13
Reflection.................................................................................................................................... 14
Appendix - other method ....................................................................................................... 15

5. 1
How I Know
This essay will introduce and review my process and methods that would relate to
studying in “MA Design Futures” and “Metadesign”.
Epistemology → Process and Method
Before introducing my working processes and my methods, it is good to understand
epistemology because they are related.
First of all, epistemology’s definition from Oxford Dictionaries is: “The theory of
knowledge, especially with regard to its methods, validity, and scope, and the
distinction between justified belief and opinion.” In short, I would say it explain how
information emerges in a person’s head. Further, this process could be different in
different person – different brain construction.
The different way to construct information can lead to the different processes of
working and methods chosen.
I am not a “1 – 2 – 3” person
…but I prefer to start at 3 and try to understand it. If I cannot understand 3, I will
step back to 2 or 1. Sometimes I learn like 3-2-1-2-3. Sometime only 3 and 2 is
enough. The way I build my brain construction of information is not a linear process.
My construction is more like a network. Many times it is difficult to find a link to a
specific topic, and sometime one topic link with very different topic.
My creativity
By self-observing, I realize that my creativity usually work as linking things together.
This tends to make me curious in broad range and many areas more than digging
one specific interest. This affects my working process. Most of the processes I have
used to extend my knowledge and interests are about linking idea, mapping
overview, reveal relation between each factor, and reflect on individual experiences
or practices.

6. Basical
By wor
my wo
unknow
inform
Initially
develo
ideolog
she int
severa
unknow
These
journey
0 - Pla
This sh
visualiz
Many t
difficult
the pla
better
lly, the wor
rking the p
rking proc
wn areas (f
ation, data
y, this proc
ped this p
gical future
troduced a
l essays, th
wn area an
8 steps or
ys:
anning
hould be th
ze the elem
times an u
t to do (0)p
an is can de
route. – It’
rking proce
rojects fro
ess into 8
figure 1). T
a, knowled
FIGU
ess is base
rocess to s
e aspect an
about step
he significa
nd regulate
iginate fro
he first ste
mentary un
nclear cur
planning w
eveloped;
’s fair enou
ess can be
om “MA De
steps, and
The amplitu
ge or expe
URE 1: 8 STE
ed on my p
suit the pu
nd craft th
ping into t
ant factor,
e it in the r
m reviewin
p in any pr
nknown ar
iosity can o
when have
write it ear
ugh, right?
2
My W
e explained
sign Futur
d I plot the
ude of the
eriences, w
EPS IN MY WO
product de
urpose of m
e change.
the unknow
which I alw
right balan
ng my exp
rocess bec
eas. This in
only give a
not got en
rly and do
Work
d simply in
re” and “Me
m in the jo
line mean
which conta
ORKING PROC
esign expe
my course,
According
wn. Moreo
ways deal w
nce.
erience in
cause of th
ncreases m
short fun
nough infor
it; and dev
king
a linear pa
etadesign”,
ourney bet
ns the amo
ain in each
CESS
rience, and
, which is t
g to Anette’
ver, by wo
with, is to r
“MA Desig
he time. Als
my curiosit
. However,
rmation. A
velop it wh
Proc
attern by t
, I could si
tween know
ount of
h step.
d I have
to form an
’s lecture (
orking thro
reach the
gn Futures”
so (0)plann
ty also sha
, it is quite
A simple tri
hen find th
cess
time.
mplify
wn and
(2014),
ugh my
”
ning will
rpen it.
ck is
e

7. Also, th
proces
(0)plan
possib
drawin
more f
[Metho
1 - See
For me
going t
valuab
followin
directio
new kn
This is
‘what I
[Metho
#proje
2 - Gro
Group
to disc
betwee
Realize
possib
like to
he reason
ss without
ning befor
ly be lost i
ng the rese
fun.
ods: #scen
eking Inter
e, it is the e
to the unkn
le question
ng the inte
on(s) is/are
nown but u
the phase
don’t know
od: #passiv
ct_diary #w
ouping the
ing the key
over the “s
en two thin
e that no a
le and see
study abou
that this st
planning, j
re (3)explor
n many int
earching ro
nario, #idea
rests and
early state
nown area
n, which al
erests and
e clear eno
useless info
to collecti
w’
ve_review #
word_clou
em
ywords is n
synergetic
ngs. – I still
bsolute rig
eking the sy
ut psychol
tep is 0 is b
ust followi
ring phase.
teresting in
oute, when
a_mapping
Curiosity
to cultivat
a much bec
ways be u
my curios
ough becau
ormation.
vely ‘know
#youtube
ds]
not only to
energy”, w
l don’t kno
ght combin
ynergetic e
ogy. In the
3
because I
ing (1)curio
. However,
nformation
n the direct
g, #share_v
e ideas an
cause I nee
sed along
sity is fun. I
use the ple
w what I kno
#share_va
o find the s
which could
ow what th
nation, just
energy wh
e same tim
rarely did
osity and (2
, it could w
n – trust m
tion is clea
value_and_
d interests
ed to clarif
the workin
t should b
easure can
ow’, and it
alue_and_c
similarity, b
d be call as
e tool is be
t try to rea
ich you pre
e, the edu
it. It is pos
2)grouping
waste much
me planning
r, the rese
_capability]
s. Also, this
fy my capa
ng process
e stopped
n easily lea
is also a b
apability #
but the cor
s the relati
etter than
rrange as
efer. For ex
cation in T
sible to sta
ideas then
h time and
g first and
earch will b
]
s step is no
ability and
s. Although
d when the
d to be los
bit uncover
#discussion
re of this p
on or reac
post-it.
much as
xample, I w
Thailand ne
art the
n start
d
be
ot
my
h,
e
st in
ring
n
hase is
ction
would
eeds

8. fixing.
directed
[Metho
3 - Exp
This is
what I
though
The wa
perspe
big que
pushes
[Metho
4 – An
Both (3
useful
(3)expl
step w
Honest
previou
progra
this is t
[Meth
#user_
As a resul
d learning f
od: #post-i
ploring
the big ste
know, and
ht. This me
ay to discov
ectives or c
estion, Ann
s me to ste
od: #discus
alysing
3)exploring
informatio
oring proc
ill do resea
tly, even I l
us researc
mme allow
the time to
od: #track
_journey_m
t, the syne
following m
t, #synerg
ep to explo
d I have to
eans I cann
ver the un
criticize. Su
nete said (2
ep deeper
ssion, #po
g phase an
on. The dis
cess is dive
arches in a
like to wor
h because
w students
o improve
king_progra
maps #exp
ergic energ
motivation’.
y_wheel #
oring in the
understan
not find the
known is r
urely, to ste
2014). For
in the unk
st_questio
nd (4)analys
tinction be
ergent, but
a specific q
k on this s
e it needs t
s to develo
this part in
am #works
erimenting
4
gy I found i
book_arra
e unknown
nd that the
e unknown
required o
ep into the
me, the cl
known.
on #forum,
sing phase
etween the
t the (4)ana
question to
step the m
time and p
op their ess
n my previ
shop #inte
g #prototy
s the conc
ngement #
area. First
unknown
n by think.
ther peop
e unknown
lear curios
, #classroo
e are the p
em is in the
alysing pro
o prove ide
ost, but I r
participants
says before
ous essays
erview #rol
ype #weigh
cept of ‘an
#tetrahedr
tly, I have t
is thing ha
le to reflec
needs the
ity could b
om #sharin
periods for
eir purpos
ocess is co
eas.
arely did it
s. It is good
e the final
s.
le_play
ht_matrix]
alternative
ron]
to be very
as never be
ct idea, exc
e courage a
be the solu
ng_story]
collecting
ses. The
nvergent. T
t through m
d that this
assignmen
e self-
clear
een
change
and a
ution. It
the
This
my
nt. So

9. 5 - Syn
This is
this ste
myster
means
Writing
the sta
reader
acciden
to othe
[Metho
6 - Org
For (6)c
know a
This ste
7 - Col
When
inform
consid
For ins
experie
in my p
with ac
[Metho
nthesising,
the time to
ep is most
rious when
s it is still no
g is a good
atement to
rs which co
ntally find
er.
od: #writin
ganizing c
communica
anything ab
ep is for bu
llecting fe
I prepared
ation you
ered to be
stance, to a
ences abo
presentatio
ctivities.
od: #record
g, crystaliz
o articulate
important
n I feel I cle
ot clear en
method fo
be accura
ould receiv
the better
g, #speak_
communic
ating the id
bout my to
uilding a b
edbacks
d for a sym
expect fro
e a researc
answer Joh
ut continu
on, I have t
ding, #film
zing
e every ide
t and I alwa
early under
nough.
or crystaliz
ate. Then t
ve the bette
way to art
_it, #makin
cation
dea, the pr
opic before
ridge to co
posium on
m the aud
ching part o
hn’s questio
ally doing
to define w
m]
5
ea to be a
ays spend
rstand som
zing ideas.
he writing
er way to a
ticulate ide
ng_present
resenter sh
e. This met
onvey who
n 6th
June 2
diences”. So
of the who
on, if I exp
a task mot
what intrin
statement
very long t
mething, bu
Through t
should be
articulate.
ea while sp
tation #dra
hould think
thod is alw
ole idea to
2014, John
o (7)Collect
ole process
ect to rece
tivated by
sic motivat
or a mani
time on th
ut I cannot
this, I have
e allowed fo
Furthermo
peaking ab
awing_ cart
k as a read
ways mentio
some aud
Backwell s
ting feedbac
s.
eive the au
an intrinsi
tion is and
ifesto. For
his. It is qui
t explain it
e time to de
or differen
ore, somet
bout my pro
toon]
der who di
oned in m
ience.
said “what
ck should
udience’s
c motivatio
d how it rel
me,
te
t. This
evelop
nt
times I
ojects
d not
y class.
t is the
be
on. So
ates

10. 6
FIGURE 2: REAL JOURNEY
In reality, through my working process these 8 steps are not arrayed smoothly in
order (figure 2). Also, it is not necessary work follow this order. The process always
jumps back and forth these steps because each step has a specific purpose, which
can use in different situations.
To sum up, this part provides the overview of the whole process. This picture will
remind future me to see the dynamic in process and a various aspect of purposes.

11. 7
My Tools
(1)Word Clouds
What is it?
It uses program for transform a massive text to a simple picture. The word that
frequently uses in the text will be bigger in the picture
Where?
For me, it is a kind of a navigator when
I have to deal with a massive data:
 records of twitter,
 interview transcripts
 some research from websites
 collective-data methods
 …
Why I use?
It could be use like a map.
 This helps me to early recognize
the scope of the reading source
quickly.
 It guides me where should I start
and where will I go; planning my
journey.
 I feel more confidence – I am
afraid to deal with data.
Process:
Copy the text to the Word Clouds program (http://www.wordle.net) and process it.
The program will count the frequency of each word in the text and create a picture.
The size of each word is depended on its frequency.
Output:
It simplifies large data to be a nonlinear format. By illustrating the trend, this could
help to generate the relation between the keywords, and group ideas. For me, it
should be used as an exploratory guide to start research or grouping ideas.
Experience:
**Carefully, the keywords showed by Word Clouds are only from the frequency.
They do not directly relate with the meaning. By using only these keywords to
interpret, it could easily mislead. Use it carefully.
In Universal Methods of Design (Martin & Hanington, 2012, p.206), Word Clouds
could be qualified with: Refer to where the date was collected, and disclosure of
there has been processed on data.

12. 8
Further:
In my dissertation, I think this tools can helps me to find an individual motivation if I
use it with the #Tracking Program. My methodology is the word clicked by an
internet user can refer to the user’s curiosity.
FIGURE 3: WORD CLOUDS FROM THIS ESSAY
Remark:
http://www.wordle.net
http://www-958.ibm.com
Reference:
Martin, B., & Hanington, B. M. (2012). Universal methods of design: 100 ways to
research complex problems, develop innovative ideas, and design effective
solutions. Beverly, MA: Rockport Publishers.

13. 9
(4)Tracking Program
What is it?
It can be platforms, systems, culture props, diary, internet cookies, and computer
programs, which on the purpose of to continually report individual specific data:
behaviours, money, activities, journeys or progresses.
Where?
It can be anything which relate to
person and activities
 Application in mobile
 Computer program
 diary
 cup
 flush …
Why I use?
Tracking data through the time
 Can analyse the changes
 Can find unknown patterns and
motivation.
 By programing, it can access to
vast participants.
Process:
Make a rule which the participants to report, or create a program or a system to
detect specific data by a sensor
These systems have to report the time / date because it is required in comparison.
Output:
Tracking program will report every activity. The output would be massive and need
other tools for analyse this data further. After this it can use to plot activities and
time which will help to visualize the changes of each person – it can recognize who
have same or different motivations
Experience:
Tracking program could be seen as invading the privacy of participants. So they
should be informed or understood about how this tool work and what kind of data
it detect.
Most of this method needs to involve in long period. It is quite difficult to find the
volunteer participants.
On the other hand, I have done many tracking program with myself, such as a
working diary, 24-hour circular graphic report, and the internet tracking activity. I
found this like an action research, which helps the user to uncover something they
missing.

14. Further:
About privacy issue, it would be better if the system allow the participants to delete
some data they feel uncomfortable to report.
FIGURE 4: USE PROGRAM TO TRACK MY ACTIVITY ON COMPUTER
FIGURE 5: TEST INTERFACE ON SELF-REPORT

15. (4)User Journey Maps
What is it?
It is a visualization of the user’s story while using product or service. This platform
can create a discussion from different personas effectively, which leads to develop
the system holistically.
Where?
In my opinion, It would be useful to
stimulate the complex and insightful
system:
 Costumer service
 Political impact
 Internal communication
 …
Why should I use?
This method helps a participative user
to communicate their experience
easily and clearly.
 The first attention
 Understand behaviours
 how the user change during
activity
 what can affect or influent user
Process:
Each user will get different persona (task and goal) in the journey. And the users will
do the workshop together and complete the whole map.
1. First, interviewing the experience users to create the journey maps, each which
should represent to the user’s persona.
2. Let the users sharing the event along the journey with others
3. Writing down the individual feel, experience or thinking on the map honestly, both
positive and negative are ok. For examples, “I feel confuse at the start” or “I need a
manual”.
4. Each map will show different experience form different persona, which can use for
discussion later.
Output:
This tool can illustrate the different behaviours, views and goals in the same whole
system. This helps to re-organize the system.
My expectation from this method is detect a change by illustrating the user’s
activities, feelings, perceptions and thinking through the time. Also it shows how
they change.
Experience:
For this method, I have never tried it before, but I have done the #Role-play
Workshop, “Amoeba of Culture Change”, in Metadesign2 class. That is the great
experience giving the view that different roles react differently in the same culture
and the process of culture change.

16. Further:
I would like to combine this method with the #Tracking Program, which draw each
participant’s journey. Then I will use this method to be the platform of interview. So
I could collect the course of change in their thinking and activities, which I have to
analyse; which is from an intrinsic motivation; and how the motivation work.
Moreover, this could be an action research to encourage the participant to
understand the effects from motivation in activities too.
Remark:
It is a kind of role-play workshop, but by adding a map, it can improve the
communication in team clearer.
Reference:
Martin, B., & Hanington, B. M. (2012). Universal methods of design: 100 ways to
research complex problems, develop innovative ideas, and design effective
solutions. Beverly, MA: Rockport Publishers.

17. (4)Questionnaire
What is it?
This is the method for evaluating design by scoring.
Where?
In the stage of evaluation
 Need amount of data
 In person
Why should I use?
If I have other choices, I won’t use this
method.
 Everyone can understand
Output:
The Score (with the weight). However, Martin & Hanington (2012, p.202) suggest this
tool can use in the early stage for creating a decision in team as an internal
communication. - This is totally different with my usage.
Experience:
About the project when I worked in a design company, I tried to understand clients’
needs by using this method. That project took very long time to finish, and one of
many reasons could be I never get the clients’ real needs.
Personally, I think the process of scoring (such as 1-5) is hard to get an accurate
result because respondent has to translate answers to linear polar scale, which
different respondents could express differently. Thus the researcher has to
interpret these results. There are two time of translation between a meaning and a
number. And the number in polar scale and could be defined differently.
For an example, the questionnaire about classroom, if a student scores 1 of 5 in the
row of homework, it is hard to know that it mean that student needs less homework
or more, or it is too easy or too hard, or mean the deadline is too early.
Further:
Even, scoring could be accurate on logicality, but the real answers are not
presented. Following this method, I prefer to make a choice in the form of a
sentence rather than number.
Moreover, I would like to try to use it for sharing opinions in the team.

18. Reflection
Many tools we used in MA Design Futures consume a massive of papers, while we
are learning about sustainability and overconsumption. This is a paradox between
subjects and activities.
Beware to be lost in information
1. List question
2. List required data
3. Think about process to get it directly
4. Recheck
How to analyse qualitative data?
I still don’t know the way to analyse qualitative data for researching. I always use it
to understand and write the reflection. I don’t know how to referent this kind or
data.
“In deductive content analysis, the codes or categories are derived prior to analysis,
often based on a theoretical framework [, such as Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs.]”

19. Appendix - other method
FIGURE 6 MASSIVE MAPPING- INVOLVE WITH BODY
FIGURE 7: PROTOTYPE IN GOLDSMITHS – DREAM TOGETHER BOARD

20. FIGURE 8: PAPER PROTOTYPE
FIGURE 9: POSITIONING TOOLS (DEVELOP FOR PERSONS)

21. FIGURE 10 TETRAHEDRON
FIGURE 11: IDEA MAPPING
FIGURE 12 DIAGRAM