The methods utilized in design research inform the design process by both inspiring imagination and informing intuition through a variety of methods with related intents: to expose patterns underlying the rich reality of people’s behaviors and experiences. They provide a deep understanding of people and how they make sense of their world. Through listening to peoples stories, we learn what they like about their current experiences, and what they hate about them, what they value, and what they don’t. These narratives expose and make meaning of latent needs and contain information essential to designing relevant products and services that evoke meaningful experiences.

Hello, my name is Dan Wandrey. I’m a designer in Phoenix, Arizona and I’m fascinated with understanding and interpreting people’s stories. This curiosity has a become a driving force in my academic and professional interests and is the basis of my master’s thesis research at Arizona State University. I’ve created this blog not only to share the accounts of others but to share my own everyday observations and experiences. This is a record of my lived experience; interests, work, hobbies, travel, achievements, mistakes, and aspirations. These are my stories.