This study investigates a method for a real-time remote participatory design(PD) when designers and users are geographically distributed. One of the problem of participatory design is the geographical distribution between designers and users. To address this issue, a system using video conferencing technologies and shared workspace was suggested to support a real-time remote PD workshop. Preceding studies were reviewed in three areas: (1) Participatory Design and generative tools that allows users to make a more active participation in the workshop, (2) Computer Supported Collaborative Works, (3) design methods that are known to be useful to generate ideas.
Two case studies using existing video conferencing system were conducted to identify the issues in a real-time remote PD workshop. From the first case study, it was found that a remote PD workshop using video conferencing system and shared workspace allows dispersed designers and users to create design solutions collaboratively. It was also found that users` participation increased in their own environments.
A comparative case study between a laboratory and a usage environment was followed to understand the effect of workshop environments on users` participation. The result showed that user participants in their own environment could more easily find the problems and more actively participate in design work because the usage environment stimulated users to generate new and creative ideas.
