Ethnographic research methods and an empathetic approach to users can form the basis for information architecture solutions that attempt to directly address and improve the lives of people in developing countries.

Yeoville is a neglected suburb in Johannesburg. Over 65% of its inhabitants are foreign African nationals. It is a space of dislocation, insecurity, uncertainty, transience, neglect, crime, contest, exploitation and the transgression of boundaries. It is also one of two Internet Café hubs in the city.

This project uses a community based website as the default home page in Internet cafés. By working with Internet cafés and survival strategies already present and employed by people in these communities we are exploring how information environments and tools can improve lives.

The project aims to investigate, record and make visible the experience of the people who are living there, and to consider the implication of these reflections for the decisions of policymakers, city planners and designers.

We will share insight into the community, our ethnographic research methods, the findings, the intervention and UX strategy, the information architecture solution and the impact that the solution is making.

Audience
Information architects (all levels), user experience designers, researchers and those with an interest in the digital divide topic and design for developing contexts.