Involvement of End-Users through Participatory Design Toolkits in the Design of Information Architecture for a Cultural Heritage Digital Collection

Abstract

Participatory design toolkits are designed to involve users as active partners in the design process. In the design of information architecture (IA), there are only few examples in which participatory design toolkits were used. This study investigated how three different toolkits provided insights in IA design. The study was exploratory and based on three participatory workshop sessions engaging users in the development of IA design ideas. Two toolkits proved well suited in involving users, while the third toolkit provided fewer user insights. User characteristics, specifically IT competences, and time available influenced the use and outcome of the toolkits.