Cross-Cultural Design

There are many dimensions to cultural diversity. Products and interfaces designed for one culture may not fit another. Furthermore, methods and tools used to design products and interfaces need to be adapted in this culturally diverse world. There cannot be a one-size-fits-all approach. Cultural differences need to be understood and addressed while delivering solutions within optimized cost and effort.

With a blend of local experts and global resources HFI brings in the knowledge and understanding of local cultures while being grounded in global best practices in user-centered design. We have successfully done testing even in countries where we don't have an HFI office. With the help of local experts we have done cross-cultural testing in countries such as Brazil, Chile, Guatamala, and Saudia Arabia.

• The Bollywood Technique – innovative approach to usability testing in Asia
• Emotion tickets – a creative cultural probe
• Bizarre-Bazaar – an informative performance method
• Funky Facilitator – a new data collection approach
• Using dials for differential scales
• Jungian archetype folk probes

HFI's Localization Process

Localization is the process of converting a software system or a product to operate successfully in a new cultural context. Although localization necessitates translation to new languages and alteration to handle different business rules, its scope goes far beyond this. To make the software work effectively in a new cultural ecosystem, it must adapt to new workflows, new attitudes, and new environmental conditions.

This process has three main phases:

1. Cross-cultural expert review

The review provides strategic insights into interfaces and products intended for different markets. Our local experts evaluate the interface or product to see how it will best fit into the target culture, and provide actionable insights.

2. Design

In the design phase, HFI can help make the changes required to localize the software. This process results in initial localization specifications which can guide your technical staff in modifying the software system.

3. Multi-country usability testing

The altered software system or product needs to be tested to ensure that it actually works well in the new cultural context.

At HFI we understand that international testing is NOT just about translating a protocol and renting a facility. We provide a one-stop solution for:

• Recruitment of test participants
• Preparation of test protocols
• Facility selection
• Understanding cultural nuances

HFI and global projects

HFI has worked on international design and testing projects for clients such as: