1. The document describes a study of a design student's desk organization through observation and interview. 2. The student has a highly organized style centered around self-expression. She organizes items in a hierarchy based on accessibility and uses factors like frequency of use, time, and potential future use. 3. Her main methods of coding and organization are labeling items with markers and differentiating folders by color. She organizes items into zones based on accessibility of hands and eyes.

1. The Desk Tour: Information from Artifact and Interview
Research Methods for Human-Centered Design . Spring 2003 . Miso Kim

2. 1. Basic Information The desk of my tour guide The desk of other students (for comparison)
1) CONTEXT
Who: 24 years old female, design student
Where: CPID office, Baker Hall
Why; Her desk being right beside of me, so that I could easily observe her. Also, she was the
person who asked for providing drawers in our office. Therefore I assumed that she
would be using her drawer actively, and probably has her own way of organization. And
I know that she chose the desk because of its uniqueness with the column and the
corner space. I wanted to see if she is using the space effectively as she planned.
2) PRE-OBSERVATION
As my seat is right beside of her, I could observe her desk when she was not on her desk and
while she was on her desk working. During 3 hours she was mostly using her computer, but
-Opened the drawer: 5 times
-Took out her file from the folders left: 1 time
-Turned her chair to look on the wall left: 1 time
3) BASED ON THE OBSERVATION, I PREPARED TEN BASIC QUESTIONS.
-How would you describe (and name) your organizational style? Highly organized
-What cognitive artifacts do you employ?
-What method of organization and coding do you use?
-Could you explain the use of your drawer?
-What is your organization method on the space over your head?
-Could you explain about the organization you are doing on the wall?
-I observed that you have a lot of photographs on the cork where your eyes would most
frequently stay. What is the reason?
-What is the difference in use between the cork in front of you and the cork on your right?
-How do you use the corner space on your left?
-If you were to design artifacts or systems to facilitate or enhance your organizational
scheme, what would those artifacts look like?
4) ACTUAL INTERVIEW
However, when I actually asked the first question, she opened her drawer and showed me
how the things inside are organized based on time and space. And then she moved from the
drawer to the compartment up on her head. I understood that all the things on her desk are
related together by her methods if organization, and let her talk in the order she likes. Most
of my prepared questions were covered naturally. When she stopped talking, I asked about
new facts I found during her showing her method organization.
Self-expressive
2. How would you describe (and name) the organizational
style of your tour guide?
I would like to name it “Highly organized and self-expression centered“ style.
1) HIGHLY ORGANIZED
She had a consistent rule of organization throughout her desk, based on time and place. And
she put them in order when she finishes her work, therefore her desk was always very well
organized, except for when she was working. s
2) SELF-EXPRESSIVE
The things related to her memories and personal flavors had priority to the things related to
function in the importance based on time and space. Her conclusion was that she wants to
make her desk feel comfortable and ‘belong to’ her.
3) USE OF THE WALL
Another interesting feature in her organization was that she was using the wall (the surface
of the column) left to her very actively.
Use of the wall

3. 3. What is the method of organization?
1) HIERARCHY OF PLACE
This was the major principle in her organization. She had the method of organization based 1
on the accessibility of her hands’ and eyes’ reach. Because of the giant column on the left
of her, the desk had complex structure, but I basically divided it into 4 zones. The photos on
right shows 4 zones, and the most frequently used places in each zone.
1 UPPER ZONE (COMPARTMENT OVER HER HEAD)
2 HAND-REACH, VERTICAL ZONE (VERTICAL PLANES NOT COVERED BY THE DESK)
2
3 HAND-REACH, HORIZONTAL ZONE (HORIZONTAL SURFACE OF DESK) 2
4 UNDER ZONE (UNDER THE HORIZONTAL SURFACE OF DESK)
2
2) ADDITIONAL FACTORS
One factor can not make 2 or 3 dimensional hierarchy. Based on the hierarchy of place, she
was mixing 3 other factors to form her method of organization. I categorized them into 5
categories of use by my interpretation based on the interview. The word ‘use’ used in this
paper is limited to ‘functional’ and ‘practical’ meaning.
-Frequency of use: very high, high, medium, low, very low
-Time of use: last semester, early part of this semester, now, future, always
-Possibility of future use: very high, high, medium, low, very low
And I added the factor of *Self-expression when it is important factor of the hierarchy.
Also, there partly existed the factor of *Size in detailed organization like books and supplies.
3. What is the method of coding?
1) LABELING
Labels written with sharpy pen was the main method of coding. She used this labeling on her
folders and files inside the folders, and CD, Zip disks.
3
2) COLOR
3
She differentiated folders by color. However, there was no particular rule for each colors like
for example, blue for research. The selection of color was random, and only the difference
between colors was important.
4
4
4

4. 1 UPPER ZONE (COMPARTMENT OVER HER HEAD): HIGH POSSIBLITY OF USE
1. ACCESSIBILITY TO HANDS
Medium (when stand up, leave from or come to the desk.)
2. ACCESSIBILITY TO EYES
Medium (when stand up, leave from or come to the desk.)
3. ORDER OF MAJOR FACTORS IN ORGANIZATION
1. Possibility of future use
2. Freqency of use
3. Time of use
4. Self-expression
Upper-Left Zone (corner) Upper-Middle Zone 1 Upper-Middle Zone 2 Upper-Right Zone
1) FACTORS 1) FACTORS 1) FACTORS 1) FACTORS
-Frequency of use: medium -Frequency of use: very high -Frequency of use: very high -Frequency of use: medium
-Time of use: last semester, future -Time of use: always -Time of use: always -Time of use: always
-Possibility of future use: very high -Possibility of future use: very high -Possibility of future use: very high -Possibility of future use: high
*Self-expression: high
2) EXPLANATION 2) EXPLANATION 2) EXPLANATION
She put her research, notes, and documents from the She kept her food, drink, spoon and forks, and She put her folders from the class that she just 2) EXPLANATION
last semester USP project. The reason why she did not containers. came back from or was to attend that day. They She kept her books here. The folders in this zone were from the last
store this in the drawer with other documents from stayed there only temporarily, and was moved to her semester, but had characteristic as books rather than documents because
the last semester was that she was on a plan to write bag or the folder-holder on the desk. they were collections of readings which she expected to be able to refer
a paper about the USP project, and was strongly will- when she needs to. The hierarchy of organization for the books was size.
ing to read these when she finds time to. I was interested in the fact that the doll of the nun, of which I know that
she tried to use the photo as her identity for the design web site, was in
front of the books. I have seen her moving the doll when she takes out the
books before, and was worried if it would fall down and be broken. I asked
her the reason of the position, and she said “It might be problem, but I
just like this, and usually I put dolls and photos in front of the books at
home, too.” With the fact that the books are about design, which is one of
her identity, My interpretation was that self-expression is more important
to her than functionality.

5. 2 HAND-REACH, VERTICAL ZONE (VERTICAL PLANES NOT COVERED BY THE DESK): SELF-EXPRESSION
1. ACCESSIBILITY TO HANDS
Good (need to turn chair or stretch arm)
2. ACCESSIBILITY TO EYES
Very good
3. ORDER OF MAJOR FACTORS IN ORGANIZATION
1. Self-expression
2. Possibility of future use, Time of use, Frequency of use followed
particularly in the Hand-reach, Vertical, Left Zone (Wall).
Hand-reach, Vertical, Hand-reach, Vertical, Hand-reach, Vertical, Hand-reach, Vertical, Hand-reach, Vertical, Hand-reach, Vertical, Right Zone
Left Zone (Corner) Left Zone (Wall) In front Zone 1 In front Zone 2 In front Zone 3
1) FACTORS
1) FACTORS 1) FACTORS 1) FACTORS 1) FACTORS 1) FACTORS -Frequency of use: low
-Frequency of use: very low -Frequency of use: high -Frequency of use: very low -Frequency of use: very low -Frequency of use: low -Time of use: last semester, early part of this
-Time of use: N.A. -Time of use: near future, always -Time of use: near future -Time of use: N.A. But set here in the begin- -Time of use: N.A. near future semester
-Possibility of future use: very low -Possibility of future use: very high -Possibility of future use: ning of the last semester -Possibility of future use: high -Possibility of future use: medium
*Self-expression: very high low -Possibility of future use: very low *Self-expression: very high *Self-expression: high
2) EXPLANATION *Self-expression: high *Self-expression: very high
This zone was not being used. 2) EXPLANATION 2) EXPLANATION 2) EXPLANATION
This was the place that she kept her 2) EXPLANATION 2) EXPLANATION The only thing that had practical At the bottom was printed paper about typography,
schedules and plans, and sometimes On the top, she kept papers This place was the very high in the hierarchy of purpose was the business card from a and quote from her favorite writer. ‘Safe sex guide was
the last version of her work. Espe- with phone-numbers and E- place, by the fact that it was the best for her company. It had relationship with the on the left. The CDs were old and could be stored in
cially, she put her handwritten memos mail address of friends, paper hands and eyes to reach. However, different from photo of her brother nearby, and the the bottom drawer, but she liked the way they look.
on this wall as a reminder, and added with due dates for class under other people in the office, she put post cards and post-it on the computer. The post it, Also, the positions of the CDs were more by visual
more informations with pens when it, and Spanish poem right to photos, souvenirs instead of things for practi- which is top of the hierarchy, is her effect rather than hierarchy. Things on the post-its
needed. Interesting fact was that even them. It was interesting to see cal use. For example, the two thing serve as the memo of the ideas about her thesis. The are just funny scribbling. She explained that she used
though there were 3 calendars, she how the contents on the cork focal point on the cork are: the fan she bought subject she wanted to write and the post-its more actively at home, but not here because
was not using them for scheduling. was changing from practical- in Spain, the photo of her boyfriend. Also, the work she wanted to do in the company her desk here has enough space she could put printed
Her answer was “I like the photos.” use to self-expression as the fact that she put her nameplate from her last was closely related to her brother, and papers directly. It was interesting to see her self-
Therefore I interpreted that the calen- hierarchy gets higher by edge internship at the top shows how self-expression to remember that she put these arti- expression in this place which was very high in hierar-
dars were more for her self-expression. to center. is important to her very well. facts together, she explained. chy. (best accessible for right hand)

6. 3 HAND-REACH, HORIZONTAL ZONE (HORIAONTAL SURFACE OF DESK): FUNCTION
1. ACCESSIBILITY TO HANDS
Very good
2. ACCESSIBILITY TO EYES
Very good
3. ORDER OF MAJOR FACTORS IN ORGANIZATION
*This zone was mostly used for practical function.
1. Freqency of use
2. Time of use
3. Possibility of future use
Hand-reach, Horizontal, Left Zone Hand-reach, Horizontal, Work Zone Hand-reach, Horizontal, Work Zone Hand-reach, Horizontal, Work Zone
(Corner) (Left) (In front) (Right)
1) FACTORS 1) FACTORS 1) FACTORS 1) FACTORS
-Frequency of use: medium -Frequency of use: very high -Frequency of use: very high -Frequency of use: very high
-Time of use: now -Time of use: always -Time of use: always -Time of use: always
-Possibility of future use: medium -Possibility of future use: very high -Possibility of future use: very high -Possibility of future use: very high
*Used as workspace of processing information
2) EXPLANATION 2) EXPLANATION rather than storing information or artifacts. 2) EXPLANATION
She kept her bag for running suite, and She used this zone as workspace, and She put most of the supplies that she use frequently in this zone. And other artifacts she
some print-outs and brochures she wants put temporary artifacts while she 2) EXPLANATION carries in her bag like magazine and cigarette here while she worked. The cup was moved
to read when she has time. worked. This zone was her main workspace. She did typing here from upper zone while she worked. The CDs were juxtaposed here because there was
for computer, wrote memos here and then moved no more room in the Hand-reach, Vertical, Right Zone to hang them.
What was most interesting in this zone was the placement of her folder-holder. She usually put it on the the paper to her left.
work zone, but pushed it into the corner zone to get more space in her work zone while she worked, and
pulled it back after the work time.

7. 4 UNDER ZONE (UNDER THE HORIZONTAL SURFACE OF DESK): LONG-TERM STRATION
1. ACCESSIBILITY TO HANDS
Good (top drawer)
-Frequency of use:
Bad (other areas - have to bend body)
medium, low
Very bad (corner - blocked by the computer, leg zone - filled with cords)
-Time of use:
near future
2. ACCESSIBILITY TO EYES
-Possibility of future use:
Bad
high
Very bad (corner - blocked by the computer, leg zone - filled with cords)
3. ORDER OF MAJOR FACTORS IN ORGANIZATION
1. Time of use
2. Possibility of future use
3. *Size
-Frequency of use:
4. Freqency of use
very high (files), very low (diary)
-Time of use:
always (files), last semester (diary)
-Possibility of future use:
very high (files), very low (diary)
-Frequency of use:
very low
-Time of use:
last semester
-Possibility of future use:
very low
Under-Left Zone (corner) Under-Leg Zone Under-Right Zone - Drawer
1) FACTORS 1) FACTORS 1) FACTORS
-Frequency of use: very low -Frequency of use: very low -Frequency of use: very high, high, low
-Time of use: last semester, near future -Time of use: N.A. -Time of use: near future, always, early part of this semester, last semester
-Possibility of future use: low -Possibility of future use: very low -Possibility of future use: very high, high, medium, low
2) EXPLANATION 2) EXPLANATION 2) EXPLANATION
She kept the unused and unopened box of envelopes, shopping bag, vinyl bag for the case This zone was not being used at all. Also, this was the first time The hierarchy of place based on accessibility to hands and eyes was also applied to the drawer. In addition to that,
she needs them, but seemed like not using them at all. that she found that there was a small basket there, but she was not there existed minor hierarchy of size.
willing to use it at all. I thought of developing a system to use this The top drawer was used for storing small things. Except for the unused CDs, the frequency of use was quite low. The
zone before the interview, but concluded that she does not want to pills, medicine, color pencils, small envelopes of sugar, pads, business cards were more about ‘in case that she needs
use this zone of worst accessibility. them.’ rather than frequent use.
The middle drawer was that I observed her opening frequently. She kept unused files which she used a lot. At the same
drawer, she kept the diary which she never used because of the inconvenient size. The reason they were together was
because of the size. It was interesting that hierarchy of size was more dormant than the hierarchy of frequency here.
The bottom drawer was place for storing the files from the last semester. And she found the light bulb she bought long
times ago but forgot to bring home. I interpreted that as that she nearly never opens the bottom drawer.

8. 4. What Cognitive artifacts were employed?
1 UPPER ZONE (COMPARTMENT OVER HER HEAD)
files, folders, printed papers, notes, books, sketch book
2 HAND-REACH, VERTICAL ZONE (VERTICAL PLANES NOT COVERED BY THE DESK) 2) Storing information in digital format (long-term storation) 4) Cateorizing and storing information in files and folders (long-term storation)
printed papers (schedule, plan, event, phone number, typographical grammar, quote, poem),
postcards, photos, fan, small envelope of sugar substitute (with phone number on it), busi-
ness card, calendar (nothing was written on it), post-it, CDs, push pin, cork, key holder
3 HAND-REACH, HORIZONTAL ZONE (HORIZONTAL SURFACE OF DESK)
bag, brochures, files, folders, folder-holder, printed papers, hand-written papers, computer,
pencil case, supply-caddy, diverse kinds of pens, pencils, post-its, eraser, white board eraser,
push pins, ruler, stapler, CDs, Zip disks
UNDER ZONE (UNDER THE HORIZONTAL SURFACE OF DESK)
4 paper and vinyl bags, box of unused envelopes, box of unused folders, used folder with docu-
ments, light bulbs, unused diary, color pencils, unused CDs, business cards
Compartment and Bottom drawer
While the possibility of use is high, the
BY WORKFLOW
folder stays on the compartment overhead
1) Processing information for the ease of reference. When the possobil-
ity of use gets low, the files are took out of
the folder and stored in the bottom drawer.
Computer CDs and Zip disks Post-it Middle Label Files and Folders
She moves the data to her The information stays in Used for her coding drawer Used for her If she prints the
computer, and print. After her folders in the computer, system of naming. New folders coding system information, it is
that, the original paper is and then is stored in CDs or are taken of naming. stored and catego-
recycled. Zip disk by need. out from rized in her files
the middle and folders, and
drawer. sometimes files go
inside the folders.
3) Storing information in written format and printed format (short-term storation) Folder-holder
The categorized
information stays
here during the the
period the informa-
Pen Papaer tion is needed.
Brought from printer.
Pencilcase supply-caddy Top Drawer Cork, Push pen
Pens and pencils White-borad markers Color-pencils that are If the information is the kind of thing that she would need to refer or add more in
that are most fre- that are sometimes not so much used, near future, she keeps it on the wall.
quently used. used, and push pins. and unused CDs.

9. 5. If you were to design artifacts or systems to facilitate or enhance 6. What are your reflections on the use of the artifact-centered
this person’s organizational scheme, what would those artifacts be? interview as a research method?
1 UPPER ZONE (COMPARTMENT OVER HER HEAD)
1) 1) +
-I could find facts that my guide herself does not recognize.
Problem: There’s huge empty space on the wall over the compartment. She wanted to use it -It took less time to prepare the observation and interview than questionnaire.
and thought of hanging a painting, but was afraid if it will fall down. -I could get more detailed information than questionnaire, and easily.
Solution: An instrument that displays what she writes, drew, or scanned on the wall would -I could change the questions improvisationally by the context of the interview, which
be helpful. would not be able by questionnaire.
-It would be very accurate if I develop a questionnaire with the factors I found in this
2 HAND-REACH, VERTICAL ZONE (VERTICAL PLANES NOT COVERED BY THE DESK)
2) observation and interview. Seems like this method would be affordable for the first stage of
research.
Problem 1: Even though she is good at using vertical space, The wall in the left corner was -I could find new things that I haven’t found by the observation before the interview.
not being used at all. And I observed that she sometimes puts her bag on the
table of the office, her clothes on the chair. 2) -
Solution 1: She agreed that a hook on the wall that she can hang up her things would be -The interpretation took more time than the questionnaire in the aspect that I had to
very helpful to solve this problem.
organize and find factors from diverse and detailed information.
-Interpretation could be very subjective. I wonder if the result would be same if I used
Problem 2: For simple things to remember or quick facts, she preferred scribbling on the
questionnaire instead of interview.
paper on the wall. However, I observed she getting the phone call from her
-The existence of the researcher can effect the behavior and state of the participant. I
father, writing something on the paper, and then write it again in her computer
found that she was trashing some papers, finding new facts, finding the things she forgot
to send it via E-mail. And then she recycled the paper.
to bring home and put them in the bag during our interview. If I hadn’t took the photos
Solution 2: A device that change the things she wrote into digital text in computer would
ahead of the interview, the result would be slightly different.
be very helpful. Also, she wanted to be able to change the color of the papers by
importance or by dates, or in the purpose of reminding. If the wall is made of
small panels that she can write on it quickly, erase and change colors, it would
be helpful to solve the problem.
Problem 3: She wanted to use the cork in front for functional purpose, but said that
decorating it so that she can feel comfortable in this place was more important.
Solution 3: She suggested that the cork made of several layers that she can write and put
post-its when needed, and change to another layers with her photos.
Problem 4: She hung the CDs on the posh pin, but there was no standard for organization in
the place or order of the CDs. Also, as there are many CDs together, some of
them sometimes fell down when she tries to refer to the paper under them.
Solution 4: A small CD drawer that can be hung on the wall would be able to keep them
more safe and in order. Putting the drawer in the back of the computer would be
better choice because the space was not being used at all, but a thin panel that
she can just attach the CDs on it would be using the space in the way now.
3 HAND-REACH, HORIZONTAL ZONE (HORIZONTAL SURFACE OF DESK)
3)
Problem: She pushed the folder-holder into the space while she worked of the corner to
make more work space. It was quite heavy, and she had to stand up to pull it back.
Solution: A folder-holder with wheel and string to pull back would be helpful.
4 UNDER ZONE (UNDER THE HORIZONTAL SURFACE OF DESK)
4)
Problem 1: She felt uncomfortable to use the corner space left because of the computer.
Also, she wanted to push the computer to get more space for her legs, but could
not do that because she used the drives for CD and zip disk very frequently.
Solution 1: Remote drives that she can put nearby and push the hard would be helpful.
Problem 2: She put her headphone on the desk or chair when she was not using it, and the
existence of headphone and the length of code restricted her movements a lot.
Solution 2: A hook that she can hang the headphone on the wall would be helpful.