A Qualitative Study of Collaborative Incentive Mechanisms for User Experience Innovation in Interactive Design

Abstract

Abstract

Background and Gap: The complexity of user experience (UX) design and the demand for innovation are increasing rapidly. Cross-disciplinary team collaboration has become a key factor in enhancing design innovation capacity. However, existing studies have focused primarily on the design thinking process itself, leaving a gap in understanding how collaborative incentive mechanisms within teams affect creative cognitive processes.

Method: This study adopts a qualitative research approach, using case studies and retrospective protocol analysis to investigate the influence of collaborative incentives on creative cognitive processes in interactive design teams.

Procedure: Twelve cross-disciplinary design teams were observed and interviewed over a three-month period (48 design workshops in total). Team members' thinking process records and interaction data were collected. Coding analysis was employed to identify collaborative incentive types, and in-depth analysis was conducted through dialogue transcription and thinking process records.

Core Findings: The study finds that collaborative incentives stimulate team members' creative thinking through four primary mechanisms: information sharing, question-guided interaction, perspective collision, and clarification. These incentive patterns correspond significantly to specific creative cognitive processes (divergent thinking, convergent thinking, and evaluative thinking). Information sharing and question-guided incentives most strongly stimulate divergent thinking, while perspective collision more powerfully promotes convergent thinking.

Significance: Collaborative incentive mechanisms are important factors in promoting UX design innovation. This study provides a theoretical basis and practical guidance for design education, team management, and creative tool development, contributing to improved team collaboration and enhanced design innovation capability.

Keywords: User experience design; Collaborative incentive; Creative innovation; Interactive design; Design thinking; Team collaboration; Creative cognition