Reporters’ bookA guide for design-

based ethnographic

research

Name of the Initiative

Part 1:

Interview

1.1 Description

What do they do? (Description of service idea, e.g. a

community garden, a food coop, etc). What are the

demands/problems this initiative responds to? What is the aim

of the initiative? What happens and how does it happens?

What benefits does it bring to the neighborhood?

1.2 Context

What is this neighborhood like? How was it before this new

solution took place?

1.3 History of the initiative How did the project/initiative start? Who took the initiative? Why?

Can you describe a timeline of events, highlighting success and failure

aspects, major milestones? How far can you go back? How did this

initiative mature? How did it turn to be a real enterprise? (registered,

formalized etc.) Did it receive public or private support of any kind? Did it

help change the public or policy structure?

1.4 Main actorsWho are the users of this initiative? Who are the promoters of this

initiative? Is there a difference between users and promoters or are they

basically the same? Describe users and promoters lifestyles?

Do the users work as a group or groups? Is there a network of related

organizations and/or individuals? Do they have any form of connection or

exchange with other similar initiatives? Was the group inspired by other

examples? Do you know counter examples, (of service ideas that did not

take-off), cases that went wrong?

1.5. Technologies

What are the technologies that the group uses? How are they

used in system?

1.6. Communication

What communication materials do the group have? (e.g.

website, brochures, postcards, etc). What is the main purpose

of these materials? e.g. to keep participants updated about

activities (internal communication) or to get more participants

(external communication)? Does the group want to have more

participants?

1.7. Perspective for the future

What are the perspective/objectives of the group for the next 3-

5 years? What are some of the success factors and possible

risks in the short medium and long term?

1.8. Problems and opportunities

Are there any specific issues/problems/barriers that pose

threats to the initiative? Are there any main areas of concern

among the participants (leaders and users alike)? Are there any

opportunities that could be explored (that are currently not

explored)?

1.9. Indications of other social innovationDo the users participate in other entrepreneurial endeavors? Do they form

small initiatives on their own? Are members involved in other

“sustainable” services within the community? (Ex. Food Co-op,

carpooling, community gardens, etc)? Do you see evidence of wider

networks that these users contribute to?

1.10. References Website of the initiative

Interviewee name and contact information (email, address, phone

number) Other references (websites, articles, other people we should talk

to)

Quantitative Data ExerciseHow many members does the initiative have? How many are very active

in the initiative? How does individual spaces compare with shared/group

spaces? How many members are involved in other community-based

services? (Food Co-op, activist orgs, clothes swapping, bike sharing, etc.)

What is the size of the initiative in square footage?

Part 2:

Pictures & film

Photo Instructions

Please take close-up detailed photos due to the winter conditions of gardens (ex. Buds, small greenery, tools, gathering spaces, colorful areas)

Photos may ONLY be taken with a high megapixel digital camera (no iphone photos or low resolution photos)

Choose highest picture quality setting that camera allows

Always ASK permission before taking photos or footage of people and/or spaces

See Release Form on the final page of this document. You MUST have Release Form(s) signed by the photo/footage subject.

Photo checklist

1.Context

1.1 The general context (e.g. landscape, urban area, etc)

1.2 The close context (e.g. the neighbourhood, etc)

1.3 The place from outside (e.g. building, house, etc)

1.4 The entrance (e.g. signage, access door or gate, etc)

1.5 The place from inside (e.g. dedicated room, private places,

gazebo, pond, planting areas, recreational areas, etc)

2. Participant

2.1 Two to three typical users (show them in different situations, e.g.

portrait/standing, in-action, etc)

2.2 The organiser/provider (portrait/standing, in-action, etc)

2.3 Show something characteristic of the user’s motivation to

participate?

2.4 Show the key participants in the service/organization (e.g.

leaders, gatekeepers, organizers, connectors, innovators, etc)

3. Material Artifacts

3.1 Show communication materials of the organization (leaflets,

signage, etc)

3.2 Could you show essential objects that users interact with, or that

provide key moments in the service?

3.3 Could you show evidence of entrepreneurial work by users or

providers? Show intangible/tangible innovations created by users or

providers.

4. Benefits

4.1 Could you show participant benefits? organiser benefits?

collective benefits? environmental benefits? economical benefits?

5. Perspectives for the future

5.1 Could you show the future perspectives of the solution?

Film guidelines

Please take footage of the following:

The person/people you are interviewing. Ask them to introduce

themselves, their role in the organization, and a brief description of the

organization (30 sec)

A brief history of the organization (15-30 sec)

A typical activity taking place in the space including participants of the

organization (30 sec-1 min)

Participants of the organization interacting with each other (30 sec)

Participants of the organization interacting with the space/props/objects

(30 sec)

General Release

It is hereby agreed by and between the parties that this document shall constitute a general release authorizing Parsons The New School to use the photographs, statements and video of the undersigned subject in perpetuity, without any compensation.

It is also understood that the photographs, statements and/or videos are to be, and may be, used by Parsons for photographic displays, exhibits, on institution’s website, and the like, or for inclusion in any brochures, advertisements, newspapers, newsletters or any similar activities including print, television or electronic media, at the discretion of Parsons The New School.

It is further understood by and between both parties to this agreement that the undersigned subject is not to be compensated for the use of said materials by Parsons The New School. The execution of this document constitutes a waiver of any rights to compensation now or in the future.

It is further understood by and between both parties to this agreement that this written document constitutes the sum total of all discussions, negotiations and agreements had with respect to this release, and that this document, when executed, represents the entire agreement and understanding between the parties; any agreement or understanding not contained in this document is specifically and categorically denied.

Date:

Subject

Witness