ABSTRACT
The researchers, who are both jewellery designer/makers aim to communicate through their work by creating inalienable objects, which encourage personal, social and physical interaction. In order to understand and relate to the users there is a need to explore viable methods for user research that enable evaluation. As this is not a perfect problem this pilot study does not produce a benchmark, but suggests new ways to analyse design and craft practice. The authors have undertaken an exploratory exercise into the use of ‘Kelly’s Repertory Grid Technique’ to analyse perceptions of twelve jewellery objects. This pilot study was aiming primarily to discover how others perceived the work of the makers and also to open up the possibilities of applying a scientific tool to design. George Kelly devised the repertory grid technique in the 1950’s as a clinical psychology method (Kelly, 1955), initially used to examine and measure changes in attitudes of individuals. Here it is used to elicit information regarding individual perceptions of jewellery. Findings created viable ways to explore personal constructs that influence peoples’ relationships to objects.
