First, each product has its own ecology, resulting in
subjective and individual experience in using the same
product. However, this experience of product use is
mediated by other factors in the ecology. Looking at
the subjective experience of product use from a range
of perspectives can be useful in discovering patterns
that lead to generalizable knowledge for design.
Take, for example, the product ecology of a Dyson
vacuum cleaner that has been purchased by a family.
Each member of the family has different relationships
with this particular vacuum depending on their
circumstances and relationships with one another. The
wife likes it for weekly housecleaning, but finds it too
large and overpowered for spot cleaning. The husband
loves the engineered quality of the vacuum and
participates in an online Dyson owners group. The
family uses other products in coordination with the
Dyson: a Swiffer for quickly dusting the floor, and a
Dustbuster for opportunistic cleanups. However, the
Dyson represents two values important to the family in
purchase and use of a vacuum: engineered quality and
contributing to an allergen-free home.
Second, the factors in the Product Ecology are dynamic,
and interconnected in several ways. For example, if
someone sprains an ankle and is unable to vacuum,
product use within the ecology will change in response.
The vacuum might remain unused, and cleaning may
be done less, or other people, products and services
might come into play, such as spouses or a cleaning
service. Additionally, new products can change the
existing ecology, as activities are modified and new
ones are developed, or in extreme cases cause the
ecology to break down.
Third, changes in product use cause changes in other
factors of the Product Ecology. Products help people in
a variety of activities and experiences, supporting
independence and well-being, mediating activities, and
helping people to accomplish goals. Fundamental
changes in product use contribute to changes in the
product ecology. When a product no longer plays a key
role, it is marked by events such as people changing
roles, or going in and out of the ecology; owning more
than one product to do exactly the same task or
making modifications to a particular product; allowing
products to clutter the environment, unused and
without special significance; and modifying the social
relationships that exist around a product.
Fourth, the Product Ecology can be delimited by a
group of people in close proximity, or a group that is
spread out over a great distance. For example, the
Product Ecology for the housebound is often the home,
surrounded by a small, physically-bounded social
network. The community of use for a product such as
flickr, a photosharing service (flickr.com), is quite
different. This environment is a group of people who
may not be physically co-located, but who share the
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perceived values and benefits of sharing digital images.
The factors in the Product Ecology are the same
whether the people using the product are close to or far
away from each other.
