Enactments in Interaction Design: How Designers Make Sketches Behave

Abstract

How do designers of interactive media work on the dynamic aspects of their designs? Previous research has emphasized the role of gestures to express what users and computers do. This paper contributes with a detailed analysis of interaction designers' enactments in terms of what they express using a model of interaction design based on five domains: design concept, functions and content, structure, interaction, and presentation. Two enactive means of expression are identified: interaction walkthrough and improvised role play. Gestures drive the interaction walkthrough and scenarios created on the spot drive the improvised role play. In terms of the suggested model of interaction design, interaction walkthroughs start out in the domain of interaction, and improvised role play starts out in the domain of design concept. From these domains the designer can then see consequences for the other domains of interaction design. The five domains of interaction design can be used as an analytical tool for thoughtful reflection, and interaction walkthroughs and improvised role play can be articulated as conscious means of expression.

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“…These authors did not mention of the use of contextual resources that support the practice. Arvola and Artman (2007) proposed using gestures alongside sketches and techniques drawn from improvisational theatre in order to express design concepts and design qualities. The design goal in their example was product-centered and movement was again mentioned primarily as a means for communicating ideas rather than supporting idea generation.…”

“…For instance, M. M. Bekker, Olson, and Olson (1995) studied the way designers engaged in movements that are characteristic of actions typically performed by users of a certain product during design sessions, which helped them identify and articulate details of behavior that could be relevant for design. Relatedly, Arvola and Artman (2007) examined how gestures could be used together with sketches and techniques from improvisational theater, such as role-play, to express features, design concepts, and important qualities of designs. Theatrical techniques were also used by Brandt and Grunnet (2000) in user-centered design processes.…”

“…Our embodied sketches, as well as the result of other embodied methods presented in this article, have the particularity that they are not persistent but ephemeral (Arvola & Artman, 2007;Johansson & Arvola, 2007). They are shaped as the activity unfolds, but then disappear afterwards.…”

A model to analyse students’ cooperative idea generation in conceptual design

“…This happens not only through talk, but also by using sketches, gestures, enactments or drama (Arvola and Artman 2007;Juhl and Lindegaard 2013;Ramberg et al 2013;Sun et al 2014;Suwa and Tversky 1997;Tholander et al 2008). For example Juhl and Lindegaard (2013), in their studies of engineering students solving design tasks, conclude that sketching helped the students synthesize ideas, and facilitated mutual understanding and decision-making.…”

“…The use of different media to express and represent modes is an important part of the LDS framework, which includes all forms of semiotic and bodily expressions. This makes it particularly appropriate for creative work since much creative work includes enactments, gestures, and dramatization [see Arvola and Artman (2007) and Tholander et al (2008) for other examples of creative design work]. Transformations related to these aspects of creative collaboration expand on common ground.…”