Close-Up Research is an ethnographic research and insight-led storytelling practice. We specialise in lived experience – spending time with people in their everyday environments to make sense of how they think, feel and behave. Our insights and films help organisations design, evaluate and communicate better policies, products and services.
For over 20 years, our research has spanned the public, private and third sectors across key areas including: Young People | Older People | Health & Wellbeing | Community & Place | Energy & Environment | Tech & Product Innovation | Employment & Financial Wellbeing.
For technology and product innovation, we’ve researched consumer behaviour for clients such as LG, Intel, Vodafone and Nokia. We’ve explored questions such as: How do people organise home-media systems? What branding elements shape perceptions of white goods? How does ageing affect retirees’ use of technology? How do young people adapt mobile technology for unexpected uses?
Much of our tech and product innovation research is confidential, but below are some examples we’re able to share.
WHAT DO PEOPLE THINK ABOUT DRIVERLESS CARS? / DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT
We attended public dialogue events to understand people’s experiences of transport and their attitudes towards connected and automated vehicles (CAVs) and driverless cars.
What are the transport Experiences of Young People with Mobility Issues? / Flourish
A ‘remote ethnography’ project, we asked six young people with mobility issues, from across England, to record video diaries documenting their transport experiences over a month, and to reflect on how their experiences might differ if travelling by driverless car.
WHAT ARE ENERGY CONSUMERS’ ATTITUDES TO ‘NET ZERO’? / OFGEM
We spent a year following the experiences of eight people across the UK, to understand how energy use fits into their lives. They sent through diary updates every month, and we checked in by video call at the start, middle and end of the year. To coincide with the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26), we also asked them what they thought about ‘Net Zero’. This edit of their responses was shown at the conference.
WHAT ARE THE ENERGY-RELATED BEHAVIOURS OF LOW-INCOME & VULNERABLE CUSTOMERS? / OFGEM
OFGEM’s ‘Warm Home Discount’ scheme offers a range of advice and initiatives to help people, particularly low-income or ‘vulnerable’ customers, better manage their gas and electricity usage. To understand the scheme’s impact, we produced four ethnographic studies, exploring: customer lifestyle, household energy use, financial management, and engagement with energy advice.