Lab5

//As part of 'Experience Prototyping', bodystorming has been developed as a method of enquiry for interactive design. Research the definition of 'bodystorming', and write three paragraphs describing its characteristics. (3 paragraphs)//

The idea behind Body-storming is to imagine what it would be like if the product existed, and act as though it exists, ideally in the place it would be used. Bodystorming is a unique method that spans empathy work, ideation, and prototyping. Bodystorming is technique of physically experiencing a situation to derive new ideas. It requires setting up an experience - complete with necessary artifacts and people - and physically “testing” it. Bodystorming can also include physically changing your space during ideation. What you're focused on here is the way you interact with your environment and the choices you make while in it.

Bodystorming is characterized as sketching not with a pencil and paper, but with our bodies. Bodystorming involves a group of people, usually up to 8 where everyone has a role to play. These roles are assigned using large labelled cards showing the different roles. Note cards can also be used to represent the actor's actual thoughts versus to what they say. There should also be a narrator to explain to the crowd what is going on. Other props can also be used to represent or communicate the idea.

Bodystorming is used to generate unexpected ideas that might not be realized by talking or sketching. We bodystorm to help create empathy in the context of possible solutions for prototyping. If you're stuck in your ideation phase, you can bodystorm in the context of a half-baked concept to get you thinking about alternative ideas. Designing a coffee bar? Set up a few foam cubes and "order" a coffee! Bodystorming is also extremely useful in the context of prototyping concepts. Have a couple concepts you're testing? Bodystorm with both of them to help you evaluate them.