Resonance testing is a method to validate product concepts againts a set of experiential goals. It is primarily intended for use with physical products.
This method requires design artefacts at multiple levels of fidelity. They will embody the design concept in different representations. In testing, users representing desired segments will experience the concepts one level at a time. A competitive setting in which prototypes and competing products (highest fidelity) is often employed to understand the market potential. Resonance scales are used to instrumentalize the experience goals for testing and evoke user responses.
The method is proven in practice. It has trialed success in bringing competitive consumer products to market. It is quite straightforward.
Expensive. Requires notable effort to prepare and administer. 2-3 design researchers must be involved and an adequate number of users per segment.
Liikkanen L. & Reavey H. (2015) Resonance testing: an industry approach for experiential concept evaluation. International Journal of Product Development 20(4) 265-285. DOI:10.1504/IJPD.2015.071396
