User-Centered Design with end users from low socioeconomic backgrounds: A case study with fisherfolk in Bangladesh

Context: User-Centred Design (UCD) advocates for high user engagement in the designing and developing of applications. Since applications are developed based on end-user expectations and address the context of use, UCD enhances the usability of the applications for the particular end users. However, UCD, with diverse end users, such as end users from low socioeconomic status, is challenging due to several reasons, such as communication, low digital literacy, and sensitivity. Objective: This study aims to investigate the application of User-Centred Design (UCD) with low socio-economic status end-users in order to identify the challenges that emerge in this context and derive recommendations for more inclusive future design initiatives. Methods: We followed a research through design approach. As part of the process, we surveyed 520 fisherfolk in Bangladesh, and conducted 16 focus group discussions to understand the context of use and to specify the requirements for several software applications, and conducted eight workshops for prototype development. Results: In this article, we present our experience of UCD with fisherfolk in Bangladesh, representing low socioeconomic status. We documented requirements for multiple software applications, developed personas to represent the end users, and iteratively designed two application prototypes through interactive workshops. Conclusion: Based on our experience, we recommend guidelines for future developers who intend to develop software with fisherfolk in Bangladesh, as well as for researchers and developers who plan to work with diverse end users.