Helping researchers avoid bias
Services: Design Strategy / Web Design
Client: Martin Prosperity Institute
Project: The MPI Persona Project
Illustrations by Lisa Smith.
The Persona Project is an initiative to gain a deep understanding of real citizens. We sought out Americans from many walks of life, interviewing them to understand their personal experiences. One-on-one, ethnographic interviews covered a wide range of topics, including the economy, education, politics, government and the American Dream.
This project was created because inherent biases and assumptions affect all research and policy creation. We wanted to find a way to circumvent these intrinsic ideas before they shape a researcher’s thinking. Researchers who used this product became more empathetic, thoughtful, and confident when designing policies.
Deliverables
- Set of 13 real personas*
- 125-card interactive set
- In-house panel exhibit
- 13-page website with pop-ups and custom filtering**
Highlights
- 2016 RGD In-House Design Award with Distinction
- Human-centred design
- Unique card set approach to display the research
- Interactive website which encouraged engagement
Box and Card Set Design
Exhibit Panels
Interactive Web Design
Visit the Persona Project website.
**Designed in collaboration with Overdrive Design Ltd. Illustrations by Lisa Smith.
*The MPI personas are atypical because they are the thoughts and beliefs of one real person as they were communicated through the research teams’ interview process.