[vanderZwan]

I'm studying interaction design in Sweden at the moment. This is exactly the point they're drilling into our arrogant heads: you're not a genius, listen to your users. And then you actually have to convince your clients that they are not geniuses, that being an expert can also make you blind to things, and that they need to listen to their users.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Participatory_design

[k__]

True story.

I've seen 2 extremes in my career:

1. The "product makers" think they know everything and force the users to do it the way they want.

This often results in a bad to use product.

2. The "product makers" think the user knows best and do everything the users say.

This often results in a too specific/unflexible product.

[vanderZwan]

Oh, absolutely. It basiclly comes down to having a proper dialogue instead of one party dictating to the other what to do. It's just that in practice nr 1 seems more common.

[slantyyz]

I'd add to your point #2 - It can also result in a product that is way too broad and not particularly good at any one thing. i.e., the Homermobile.

[skarmklart]

Where in Sweden are you at?