Lab+5

__**CCT333 Tutorial #5 Wiki Questions: Bodystorming**__


 * 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)**

“Bodystorming” is an emerging design practice developed by natural extension of the mode of participatory design. It’s considered a form of prototyping in context. The art form of bodystorming is referred to as “embodied storming”. It is the physical acting out of the intangible meeting sessions of brainstorming. Body storming requires certain steps for the development of the idea at hand.

Bodystorming has been used in 3 main ways. First is the idea of working the space/place in which the product you are designing will ultimately be used. For example, if you were to design a food-order and table-management system for a café, you should go to the café and work there according to bodystorming. This is because being in the environment ensures better user interface. 2nd bodystorming method is called “strong prototyping” in space/place in which the product/service will be used. For example, if you were to build a new handheld device for use on submarine, you should first construct and model (out of cardboard) to simulate a submarine environment. The third is called “use-case theater”, which involves prototyping the space and place of your product’s use by employing living personas. For example, if you were to build a new hot-dog vendor, you should find actors and make them act roles as vendors and customers. This is used to simulate experience that a product’s designed to enhance.

The key concept of bodystorming is that it creates empathy, therefore can lead to better ideas for solutions to certain problems. This type of design is much more “user-centered” since it uses emotion that arises from the playing out of a certain scenario to create a prototype. A simple example of bodystorming for the blind would be for the designer to put on a blindfold and attempt to get through his/her design. The designer can then alter the original design to make the product work better.