Blog 3: Generative Research

This post consists of three examples of generative research I completed with me as the research subject. Generative research is another way to gain empathy with potential consumers. By giving your customers the freedom to truly express and illustrate their lives you gain deep marketing insights a survey or purchase data could never reveal. 
[Some writing may be difficult to read on the actual examples, so I retyped it below each image in the My Thoughts section]

Close to You: Represented in the circles surrounding me are the things I absolutely can’t live without and those that I care deeply about. Now you may think friends or family don’t qualify as “things" but if anyone asked me what I couldn’t live without, these people would be my immediate answer and an answer I wouldn't be able to let go of. These friends and family are mine. Same goes for my pets, my faith, my phone and my music. In further circle, the things I care about day to day include good food, comfy pillows and blankets, pictures, clothes and my car. 

My Thoughts

Pets: I couldn’t live happily without pets. They have unconditional love.

Phone: Isn’t it obvious? I would be so disconnected without it.

Music: Keeps me company when I’m alone -- knows how to amp me up or calm me down.

Comfy pillows & blankets: Sometimes you have days when crawling into bed is the only thing that keeps the world from falling down around you.

Pictures: I just love pictures -- pictures of friends, from nights out, from traveling. I love traveling.

Good food: Just say no to Chilis and Taco Bell, life’s too short to eat crappy food.

Digital Ecosystem: This represents my digital and online world. My digital ecosystem is where I receive and seek updates on news, friends, my community, current events and pop culture. This ecosystem connects me to the information of this world. 

My Thoughts

Online Friends: My "online" friends exist through twitter, facebook & instagram. That's how they keep me updated.

Twitter, Facebook: Social Media is probably my greatest source of news: whether it's politics, another celebrity break-up or my friend's new job. Friends constantly post statuses and links expressing their opinions or spreading today's headlines (both humorous or serious). I'm on social media all day, everyday.

National TV: If I see or hear of a story that interests me I'll most likely head over to ABC, NBC, CNN or E!Network websites to read more on the issue.

Yahoo!: My primary email account is a Yahoo! account. Before I check my email everyday, I scroll through today's top stories, personal interest articles and pop culture updates.

Typical Weekday: Below is a snapshot into my life on a typical weekday. While I transition from different activities, commitments and times of the day, I transition from different types of information and content. As the day progresses, I access more and wider varieties of information and content sources. This is because a majority of my free time is in the late afternoon and evening hours (and probably because I struggle to keep my attention focused during these times).

My Thoughts

9:00 AM Wake up. Dress. Breakfast.

10-12 Work. 

Lunch.

12:30-3:30 Class. 

Shop. Homework. Nap. Workout.

Class & Afternoon: I tend to check the news on my laptop during class. After class is free time for me to work on homeowrk, workout, shop or check up on current events.

5:30-6 Dinner.

Bible Study. Homework. Shower.

8-1:00 AM Study. Movies or TV. Friends. Go out.

Free Time: The majority of my free time takes place in the evening. This is when I'll turn to entertainment for my content. This includes movies, TV shows, entertainment news and friends.