Great Yarmouth and Carlton Marsh

Preparing Questions – Tuesday 22nd January 2019

Due to my course mate and I having individual questions, we decided to have brainstorming sessions to be able to lay out our thoughts. Whilst writing our thoughts down, we explained them to one another so we were on the same level. As it transpired, we came up with very similar themes and questions, so our discussion was short and sweet.

Question brainstorm

Questions – Thursday 26th January 2019

After brainstorming my questions, I realised they lacked structure. I imagined walking around the Broads with the focus group trying to pick questions from a list of eight. For this reason, I have grouped my questions based on the origin of the question I want to ask. Our first sessions with last week’s user group presented some great jumping-off points of which I would like to explore further.

Confirmation of previous focus group session research

With these questions, I will be confirming the previous hypothesis I have formulated from last week. My first round of ethnographic research shows that users may benefit from audio enhancement. It will be interesting to see whether there is a link between this and people who listen to digital music and audio books. To combine the theme of audio with walking, I have included a question about health apps. I hypothesise that if a user is already familiar with using health apps, they will be more likely to benefit and be more inclined to use some form of this in a digital service relating to the Broads.

• Do you listen to digital music? – Do they listen to pre-downloaded music on iTunes, CDs or stream music from platforms such as Spotify or YouTube
• Do you listen to audiobooks? – If they enjoy reading, are they familiar with the world of eBooks and audiobooks and if so, does this enhance their reading experience?
• Do you use health apps? – Finding out if they interested in keeping track of their personal health via digital service will help determine whether this could be integrated into the app somehow e.g. pedometer, distance tracker, link to a smartwatch.

Exploration of new themes

I am excited to explore some new themes and build upon previously curated ideas. These have been designed to explore the behavioural habits of users in the setting in which they are most likely to use the product. I’m hoping that researching in this type of setting will spur ideas and inspire the users to talk about things that they may not have mentioned if we were in an office setting.

• Do you consider time or distance when planning a walk? Why? – This will help to determine whether, if a check-point system is used, whether to measure the journey by time, distance or let them choose from both. When deciding, they may weight up the options because of considerations such as the type of terrain, what land markers are along the way or what day or time it is.
• Do you use maps to navigate around? (Digital or physical?) – Is there a distinct difference in map requirements between locals or frequent visitors who walk through the Broads knowing where they are going and people who visit leisurely who aren’t as familiar with the trails or does everyone use navigation? Do more users utilise digital maps or bring physical maps with them?
• Do you ever want to find out more information about wildlife/landmarks when you’re around the broads? – Whilst walking around, people may wonder what a landmark is called or what type of bird they are looking at. It could be convenient to have this information on an app where users can search by criteria, location etc.
• Who do you walk with? (Apart from this group?) – This is will provide clearer information into who walks around the Broads. Families? Walking groups? Friends?
• What’s your favourite thing to do/about the Broads? (How often?) – By asking this question, the user will feel wanted and pleased that their input is valued. It will also let me understand what brings them joy and recognise any patterns between a larger pool of answers.

Starting Our Day in Great Yarmouth – Friday 25th January 2019

Setting off from Uni at 9:30 am, our drive to Great Yarmouth was wet and windy. The weather was grey and uninviting, but nevertheless, we were ready for a day out around the Norfolk Broads.

We met two men from Herring House, a charitable organisation who house single homeless people over the age of 18. They provide emergency housing in their hostel containing 31 beds in total. We picked up two men who were prior residents of Herring House but still partake in the activities scheme. They introduced themselves confidently and we were off to a comfortable start when having a light conversation in the van. Their chaperone made her own way in her own car.

I had never been driven around Great Yarmouth town centre before, so it was interesting to see the type of place we were working with. A lot of the areas we drove through were run down and did not come across as aesthetically pleasing.

Carlton Marshes

Welcome to Carlton Marshes

We pulled up to the carpark where we saw Richard standing and waiting for us. He greeted us as we got out of the van and brought us inside a “main office” type space where we were to have a spoken introduction to the area by a member of the Suffolk Wildlife Trust. She told us about the area the public can walk around and about the wildlife that resides there. In line with ecology and biodiversity, I was intrigued by her stories of local animals and dog walkers who frequently visit the area. Interestingly, dogs now have to legally be kept on the lead to protect the local wildlife. If dogs run off the designated path, they can disrupt natural habitats and scare the wild animals. Additionally, not picking up your dog’s litter can also result in a fine due to disruption of the ecosystem.

Information board at Carlton Marsh

When we started walking the weather was still quite damp and the pathways were muddy. The wind was bitter but we kept our spirits up and could see grasslands on either side of us.

A muddy morning

I noticed the straight, man-made waterways stretching through the grassy fields almost immediately.

A man-made waterway

 The marshlands were vast and you could see the pools of water dot into the distance. The mist covering the tree line on the horizon gave it a slightly ethereal feel.

Grasslands stretching into the distance

We walked across a grassy bridge, further into the foggy fields.

Walking over a grassy bridge

The rigidness of the waterways played such a massive part in the landscape. With reeds blowing in the wind and swans and other wildlife roaming about, it felt so wholesomely British. This was the exact feeling that I knew we had to preserve and enhance through our digital experience.

The day’s colour palette

I was able to speak to members of the focus group a few times throughout the walk but due to some very intense back pain I was experiencing, I found it difficult to slip questions into the conversation.

Sunny side stop

After walking through some tall reeds, we came out the other side and the sun was SHINING! This was a lovely meeting spot for us to briefly share our thoughts with one another. The general consensus was feelings of calmness, happiness and freeness. In comparison to living in a busy town or city, the countryside was letting people feel a calmer sense of themselves. There were also thoughts of appreciativeness and that we don’t realise quite how lucky we are to be living so close to such vast, unique and beautiful landscapes.

Ducks in the water

The circular walk we chose took us around an hour to complete, but there are other options depending on your needs, the season and the time of day.

Interview Session (and Data)

When we got back to the main office building, there was time for us to sit down and I could ask my questions. I must admit, I did wing-it a bit because I didn’t know how the situation would be set up. Having said this, it turned out that the everyone involved sat around a table and it turned into a public discussion. Initially, I would have rather it be more controlled so I could have more precise data to analyse, mainly due to the sporadic nature of last weeks ethnographic research. Conducting these user interviews made me feel slightly anxious as I started the talk.

Confirmation of previous focus group research

Do you use health apps?

Yes – Regular usage, predominately with the steps counter

Yes – Fitbit

No – But the experience could be advertised through steps. “If you complete this walk, you will have taken X steps!”

Do you listen to audiobooks?

Yes

Do you listen to music?

Yes – Stream digital music to listen to through earphones

Yes – In the car. If there are a spare 20/30 minutes, an audiobook can fill this time nicely.

Exploration of New Themes

Do you consider time or distance when planning a walk? Why?

Time – It wasn’t up for discussion as they were concrete with their responses. One user commented that if it was measured in distance, it can put people off.

Do you use maps to navigate around? (Digital or physical?)

Sometimes (Explore) – Likes to wing-it. They keep track of landmarks in the area and make a mental map in their head.

Yes (Physical) – They are able to read a physical map efficiently and coherently, so this is what they prefer.

Yes (Digital) – The trouble with Google Maps is that the signal drops in and out so it can’t be relied on entirely.

Sometimes– Likes getting lost, to a certain extent. Would usually rely on public maps relating to the site (information boards, main map at a car park).

Do you ever want to find out more information about wildlife/landmarks when you’re around the Broads?

Yes (Landmarks) – Augmented reality would be great for this. This could spark an ongoing urge to find out more.

Yes – Utilise the internet to find out more whilst walking (if there is a phone signal).

Yes – Take a photo and store it for later

Who do you walk with? (Apart from this group?)

Partner

Kids – It is tough to get the kids out. If the service could give incentive for children to join in, that would be very handy.

Friends

Alone – If the location is remote, it could ask the user to check in at regular time intervals.

What’s your favourite thing to do/about the Broads? (How often?)

• Openness
• Tranquillity
• Calmness
• Open Space
• Raw
• Roughness
• Rough n ready
• Brown, earthy colour palette
• Diversity
• Social
• Culture (reed cutting etc)
• Unknown wildlife
• Mystery
• Tourism

In the end, the group were really easy to talk to and were happy to open up. As time went on, I began to feel more confident in the set up because ideas were being bounced around the room, rather than having the intimate thought trails of a one-on-one session. The group discussion turned personal ideas into overarching themes that were carried throughout the session. After I had asked my questions, I asked if anyone wanted to add anything. This was a nice opportunity to observe how they had interpreted my questions and the answers I had received.

Questionnaire page 1

Questionnaire page 2

Lunch at Oulton Broad

Once we finished up at Carlton Marsh, we headed to the village of Oulton to grab lunch in a small local patisserie. The food took a while, but it was lovely and warm nonetheless. To walk off our little food babies, we took a walk around the greenery opposite, Nicholas Everett Park.

On our way around, we saw a large information board about Oulton Broad. It had an aerial map of the village and water with check-marked POI in the key on the right-hand side. It was refreshing to see large, high-quality signage, albeit a bit of a graphic design *cough* nightmare. *cough*

Information board for Oulton Water

We continued to walk around the marina, and Richard told us about how the apartments across the water used to be used for malting. This historical information could tie in well with the cultural heritage. The ecology and biodiversity weren’t as buzzing as the natural setting of Carlton Marsh but it seemed like a nice starting point for a walk that could lead into a more rural setting.

Somerleyton Brickfields

Following Oulton Broad, we jumped back into the van and headed off to Somerleyton. The Water, Mills and Marshes project brief includes Somerleyton Estate, but we visited the old ruins of the brickfield on the outskirts.

We parked at the rather derelict looking train station and walked up a country path for about 10 minutes. Along the walk, I found myself immersing within the natural landscape once more, whilst enjoying the sights and sounds around me. I thought back to the group discussion from earlier that day and listened carefully to the sounds of birds and trees, picking out each and everyone to appreciate it’s unique beauty and contribution to our experience.

When we reached the brickfields, there was a semi-dilapidated metal information plaque containing a brief description of the area. Most interestingly for me it explains how the bricks formed in this particular kiln during its heyday were used at Liverpool Street Station in London.

Information plaque at Somerleyton Brickfields

The area itself was very overgrown and hidden away from the world. Whilst still part of the Angles Way, it did stand quite solitary and had no signage (that I noticed) pointing the public towards it. Richard brought us there with this historical knowledge and natural interest but unfortunately, I can’t see it being very high on our priority list to include in our digital product or service.

Somerleyton Brickyards

We had ideas of creating an AR experience for users to see what it used to look like during the hustle and bustle of operating in its prime. However, we soon realised this would be a very expensive venture for a site that is so derelict and unvisited.

Somerleyton Brickyards

Walking back to the van was very relaxing and served as a time for us to settle down and reflect on our findings. By this point, I was very tired and was looking forward to heading back to Norwich, putting my feet up and watching something on the TV.

Personal Ideas

• Integrated Photo Album – When walking around, users can take images of things that interest them and upload them into the app. In the app, they could be organised by date, time, wildlife, landmark etc.
• Children Activity Game – The child is asked at the beginning of the session to input the names of who they are walking with. Along the way, they collect bugs, leaves etc and store it in the game setting. When the walk is over, the child is asked to collect information from the rest of the participants about their thoughts and encounters during the walk. This will encourage inclusiveness and children might engage with their surroundings better. (This idea can also be adapted to include token collection)
• Seasonal Sounds – Users can walk around and experience the feeling of being in another season. If it is currently Winter, they can experience the sights and sounds of the Summer.
• Health App Integration – The app could include a pedometer and users can track how many steps they have completed during a walk. It could also include a calorie counter and other types of biometric fitness measurements.