Most design research takes place under considerable time and resource constraints. Therefore, design researchers are inventive. They compromise by balancing a range of considerations including access to representative samples, data sensitivity and personal safety, with differing approaches to understanding people to gather the richest data in the quickest manner. The optimal technique is not always practical or possible due to a range of real-world factors. To explore design methods and related pedagogy, we used action research to investigate the effectiveness of three design research activities: Lego Serious Play (LSP), Scene-it and field studies, in low resource conditions. The research was conducted in Pakistan as part of a design project to enhance female home-based worker’s (FHBW) financial independence with digital tools. We also explored the use of westernised design methods in non-traditional contexts. Results showed both Scene-it and LSP had unique advantages as design activities, confirming their role as core exploratory and ideation techniques. However, field studies (design ethnography) had the greatest personal impact on the researchers and the design trainees, providing insights about the design requirements that did not emerge with the other tools. Field studies enabled the researchers and trainees to develop higher levels of empathy with the FHBW. The action research methods challenged the research team to ensure rigourous contextualisation of design techniques. We provide a list of principles for conducting co-design or design research in culturally foreign contexts.