Let's get more anthropologists in business!
Great role for someone with 2-3 years experience!
Labyrinth Behaviour Collective introduces a research division focused on business anthropology. It emphasizes using social science methods to gain insights into consumer behavior, marketing, and organizational dynamics. The site details various ethnographic research services, including audience, product, employee, and customer journey ethnography. These services aim to understand consumer experiences and behaviors to improve business strategies and sustainability.
External link for Labyrinth Behaviour Collective
Johannesburg, Gauteng, ZA
🏦 Did You Know? Ethnography can revolutionize how banks connect with customers! 🌟 By immersing ourselves in customers’ everyday lives, we uncover hidden motivations and emotions that drive their financial decisions. 💭✨ For example, we’ve found that family dynamics and community ties heavily influence banking preferences—insights that surveys often miss. DM us to explore how ethnographic research can enhance customer experiences and build trust in banking! 💡🤝 #Ethnography #Banking #CustomerInsights #Innovation #Trust
🎃 October: The Spooky Month Meets Anthropology’s Fascination with the Dead 💀 As we embrace the eerie vibes of October, let’s take a moment to appreciate how anthropologists have long been fascinated by the study of death, rituals, and the afterlife. From ancient burial practices to modern-day customs, understanding how societies treat their dead reveals deep insights about their values, beliefs, and relationships with the unseen world 🌍. Whether it's studying mortuary cannibalism of the Kuru people, or the teh Sky Burial of the people of Tibet, anthropologists explore how humans grapple with mortality—and how these traditions connect us across time and cultures. It's not just about the bones 🦴, it's about the stories they tell. So, this spooky season, let’s remember: to an anthropologist, death is only the beginning of the conversation 👻. #Anthropology #SpookySeason #OctoberVibes #CulturalRituals #StudyOfTheDead
🌍 Ethnographic Research in South Africa: Unlocking Deeper Insights 🌍 In South Africa's diverse and complex cultural landscape, ethnographic research is a powerful tool for truly understanding people’s lived experiences 🧠. By immersing ourselves in the daily lives, communities, and environments of our target audiences, we uncover the real stories behind their behaviours, needs, and motivations. This approach goes beyond surface-level data—it reveals the nuances that are often missed through traditional research methods 📊. In a country as dynamic as South Africa, where culture, language, and history play such a big role, ethnographic research is the key to creating authentic, human-centered solutions that resonate deeply with local audiences. Want to make your research count? Embrace the richness of people’s stories and design for real impact 🌟. #Ethnography #HumanCenteredDesign #SouthAfrica #ResearchWithPurpose
💡 Two surprising insights about Human-Centered Design 💡 Observation Over Assumptions 👀: In HCD, we rely on observation more than assumptions. Instead of assuming we know what users need, we watch how they interact with products or services in real-life situations. This approach often reveals unexpected behaviors and insights that can lead to innovative solutions 🚀. Failure Is a Step Forward 🚶♂️: HCD embraces failure as a vital part of the design process. Early and frequent testing with users allows us to fail fast and learn quickly 🧠. Each iteration brings us closer to a design that truly works for the people it's meant to serve. So, don't fear the missteps—they're essential stepping stones to success! 💥 Let’s keep designing with empathy and curiosity! 🙌 #HumanCenteredDesign #UserExperience #DesignThinking
💡 Did you know these two little-known facts about Human-Centered Design? 💡 Empathy Goes Beyond Listening 🎧: HCD emphasizes empathy, but it's more than just understanding what users say. It involves immersing yourself in their world and experiencing their challenges firsthand 🌍. This deep engagement helps uncover those unspoken needs users might not even realize they have. Prototyping Isn't Just for Products 🛠️: In HCD, prototyping isn't limited to physical products. It extends to services, experiences, and even policies! By creating low-fidelity prototypes like storyboards or role-playing scenarios, we can test and refine complex systems before full-scale development 🎨. This iterative approach leads to more innovative, user-centric solutions. Let's push the boundaries of design thinking and truly connect with the people we're designing for! 🙌 #HumanCenteredDesign #DesignThinking #Innovation
💭 Flexibility in design is just as important as the method we use. Human-Centered Design (HCD) teaches us that while frameworks are helpful, it's the ability to adapt to changing user needs and contexts that truly drives success. ✨ The beauty of HCD is that it’s not rigid—whether it’s applied formally or just the core principles are followed, the focus on listening, learning, and iterating is what makes a lasting impact. It’s a reminder that great design is a conversation, not a one-time solution. The more we embrace this mindset, the more we can create products and experiences that evolve with the people they serve. 🌱 #HCD #FlexibilityInDesign #AdaptiveDesign #EmpathyDrivenInnovation #UserExperience #DesignForChange
🌍 Human-Centered Design in Action: Four South African Innovations Even when Human-Centered Design (HCD) isn’t explicitly named, its core principles—empathy, iterative development, and user focus—often drive impactful solutions. Here are four South African examples where HCD principles played a critical role: 💡 M-Pesa: Vodacom's mobile payment service for the unbanked used ethnographic research to deeply understand the financial habits of low-income communities. Though it faced challenges in South Africa, M-Pesa showcased how understanding real user needs can shape financial inclusion. 💡 Shonaquip: By involving children with disabilities, their families, and healthcare professionals in the design process, Shonaquip developed adaptable assistive devices that improved mobility and independence for thousands. Co-designing with users is a key HCD principle. 💡 SnapScan: This mobile payment app addressed the needs of small traders and customers alike, providing a cost-effective solution to traditional card payment systems. Iterative testing and user feedback ensured the app was easy to use and adopt—a hallmark of HCD. 💡 FNB Fundaba: This e-learning tool for entrepreneurs was built around the needs of South African SMEs. By continuously refining its content and usability through user feedback, Fundaba became a practical tool for business growth. While these projects may not have formally followed the HCD process, their success shows the power of designing with empathy and a deep understanding of users. 💡 #HumanCenteredDesign #Innovation #SouthAfrica #DesignThinking #InclusiveDesign #Impact
🌍 Human-Centered Design in Action: The Embrace Infant Warmer In many low-resource (see: high-economic oppression) settings, premature and low-birth-weight infants are at high risk of mortality due to the lack of affordable incubators. IDEO stepped in with a Human-Centered Design approach to tackle this life-threatening challenge. 🔎 Empathy: The design team immersed themselves in the communities they aimed to help, gaining a deep understanding of the challenges faced by mothers and healthcare workers. 💡 User-Centric Solution: They developed the Embrace Infant Warmer, a low-cost, portable device that functions like an incubator but doesn’t require constant electricity—a game-changer in resource-poor settings. 🔄 Iterative Prototyping: By testing and refining prototypes with real users, IDEO ensured that the final product met the actual needs of those it was designed to help. 🌟 Outcome: The Embrace Infant Warmer has saved thousands of lives, proving that when we design with empathy, we create solutions that truly make a difference. #HumanCenteredDesign #Innovation #Healthcare #DesignThinking #Empathy #Impact
🔍 What is Human-Centered Design and How to Use It Effectively? Human-Centered Design (HCD) is more than just a buzzword—it's a powerful approach to creating solutions that truly resonate with users and your audience. By putting people at the heart of the design process, HCD ensures that products, services, and systems are not only functional but meaningful and intuitive. Here's how to use HCD effectively: ❤️ Start with Empathy: Understand your users' needs, behaviors, and pain points through in-depth research. 👁️🗨️ Clearly Define the Problem: Focus on solving the right problem by defining it from the user's perspective. 👜 Ideate and Prototype: Brainstorm, build simple prototypes, and test them with real users to gather feedback. ⚙ Iterate Continuously: Refine your solutions based on user feedback. The best designs evolve over time. 🗣 Collaborate Across Disciplines: Bring together diverse perspectives to create solutions that are feasible, viable, and desirable. 🚴♀️ Focus on the User Journey: Design every touchpoint to provide a seamless, positive experience. 💪 Measure and Improve: After launch, measure the impact on users and keep improving. By following these principles, HCD can help you create solutions that not only meet user needs but also drive real impact. 🛠️ Reading Recommendation: The Design of Everyday Things by Don Norman 📖 #HumanCenteredDesign #UXDesign #Innovation #UserExperience #DesignThinking