Bodystorming is a method of physically testing new ideas. It requires the physical setting up of a situation (with objects and people. The most important aspect of bodystorming is the manner in which people act and interact in the physical environment.
Bodystorming was used in meSch at some point as a method to explore new interaction concepts in gallery at Allard Pierson Museum and Museon. In this case, bodystorming was used alongside low-fidelity prototypes for the generation of unexpected ideas that might not be realized by talking or sketching. Bodystorming in the context of the actual museum setting helped the meSch team further develop the prototype concepts.
Following an investigation by the designers into the specific needs of the two museums, a number of concepts were developed as low fidelity prototypes. In order to test these concepts out in the real museum setting, we used bodystorming. Mixed groups were formed, including designers and cultural heritage professionals. The groups walked through the museum holding one of the low fidelity prototypes (the Compass or the Monocular). As they moved through the spaces, the facilitator asked questions, encouraged participants to share their thoughts, and made notes on what they were saying.
By simply moving around and becoming aware of the physical spaces, the participants could make more detailed assessments and suggest further developments of the prototypes, based on the physical experience of using them in the museum context. The Loupe was finally developed as an extension of the Compass and Monocular concepts. For more details, please see the method ‘Low Fidelity Prototyping’.
Download the how-to sheet here.
