More about Bodystorming
A typical design method cycle involves preliminary research, solution design, testing (more research), tweaking the design and then testing again until the design specifications are finalized. Designers or researchers usually prefer to design the solution in their own environment. Bodystorming changes this by placing the researcher to design in the environment that the solution is meant for. A combination of role-play and simulation, bodystorming takes place in a physical environment, instilling a feeling of empathy for the users.
The designers or researchers can observe the users, participate in the bodystorming session as well as see things from the user’s perspective, thereby, understanding the user’s needs, behavior with respect to their context. The researchers generate ideas, act-out stories and rapidly share learning. Therefore, bodystorming is not only used to generate ideas, but also communicate developed ideas quickly to get feedback and improvise further.
In bodystorming, the researcher needs to observe the user in their context along with understanding the context, so the researcher typically sets up a workstation in the user’s environment for the duration of the research. There could be several bodystorming sessions playing-out different scenarios over a couple of days or months with new learning or improve either within the same session or subsequent. The props or accessories used during bodystorming must be items existing in the physical environment of the users. Bodystorming can be performed with a limited number of respondents, usually not more than 10, as the more the number of participants, as complexity and time go up with each additional participant there after. In this method, users also become part of the design team; they can critique design ideas, and influence design decisions that will ultimately impact their work and life.
Advantages of Bodystorming
1. Empathy
As bodystorming is the study of user behavior in their natural environment, it invokes empathy among the participants or the researchers for the users in relation to their context.
2. Reflection
Bodystorming, like role-play, role-reversal and informance, gives way to reflection in the participants.
3. Connection between the researcher and users
As users become a part of the design team, they can influence the design decisions that impact them. It also helps the designer and user develop a camaraderie where the user can give authentic and valuable feedback to the researchers.
4. First hand user experience
The researcher’s relocation to the user’s context allows them to not only observe but also experience the user behavior, triggers, challenges, resolutions at the workplace.
5. Heightened awareness
Bodystorming makes way for heightened awareness of the environment and the day-to-day intricacies as well as situations of the users.
Disadvantages of Bodystorming
1. Uncomfortable for some users
Bodystorming may be uncomfortable for some users who know about the researchers relocating to their context. Similarly, if the user is also a participant in the bodystorming sessions, they may not always be comfortable with the admitting certain challenges as true in their own context.
2. Sensitivity
When the context of the user is of a sensitive nature such as a children’s hospital or a mental health clinic, bodystorming must be performed with sensitivity. Additionally, maybe it will not be entirely possible for the researchers to locate to the user’s environment, so they must choose an environment either the closest or of similar attributes to experience similar behaviors and triggers.
3. Time consuming
Bodystorming is time-consuming as it requires the researchers to observe the users and their environments as well. So even though the feedback and creativity mechanism is quick, the overall observational aspect may not be as easy or quick.
4. Well-trained and experienced researcher
Bodystorming requires a well-trained and experienced researcher who can handle situations sensibly, sensitively and knows all the ethical issues as well as the challenges of this research method.