Abstract

This article explores the user-centered research process in a project aiming to create community-based emojis for Jinuo Township. This initiative, led by local officials, sought to address the dissatisfaction of aboriginals with current emojis to facilitate higher-efficiency online conversations within the community, digitally preserve and disseminate indigenous culture nearing extinction, and attract tourists for revenue. A one-month user-centered design was held with local stakeholders to develop design alternatives for the prevailing live, ethnically cultural situation identified as a part of the field study. Utilizing design-thinking methodology, participants collaborated as guides, storytellers, performers, and feedback providers, culminating in the creation of culturally resonant emojis. This design practice not only catered to the explicit needs of the local government and aboriginals but also addressed the implicit goal of reinforcing ethnic identity among Jinuo’s youth. This project illustrates a practical approach to sustaining ethnic identity and culture through digital innovation. Notably, to better fit the special setting of this study and future parallel design projects, a new design-thinking theoretical model is proposed, which advocates the dynamic adaptation between user centrality and objectivity centrality to further ensure the reliability and validity of analytical thinking in the design-thinking process.