Lab+6


 * Write four paragraphs defining the term 'bodystorming'.**

In brainstorming, individuals map the ideas that come up to them with pen and paper. Bodystorming allows individuals to physically experience the area that they need to create ideas on. Individuals explore ideas physically, instead of simply imaginating in their minds. Individuals brainstorm ideas while physically experiencing the problems. As a result, the most suitable solutions for the problems can be made as the individuals already have a sense of the problem that exists.

In written scenarios, it is hard to create a sense of the relationship between the people, space and place. When an individual actually experience and act out the scenario, one can attach to the problem emotionally and physically. This allows users to create the best solution that actually solve the problem in reality. Users are also able to evaluate the problems in person rather than imaginating the actual scene. For example, In bodystorming, when an user is creating a new type of cash register, he actually goes to a store and work as a cashier to explore and evaluate the efficiency of the current cash register.

In the early stage of a project, bodystorming is useful to build and examine ideas that a group initially created. Experiencing the service or problem that needs to be fixed allows users to find out the specific issues emotionally and physically. This is important because the solutions created with bodystorming will be more fitted to the actual users. Also, the newly created ideas have a stronger emphasis on the relationship between users and technologies with the use of bodystorming.

Acting out is an important element of bodystorming. Having the groups interacting with each other by taking roles and with the technologies allow group members to deeply understand the situation in reality. Bodystorming is useful for group members to test the qualities for the abstract ideas that the group created in the initial stage of a project. It is easier for group members to investigate errors in the abstract ideas when they act them out physically and emotionally. As a result, solutions for a better service or technologies can be made more perfectly and user-friendly.


 * Describe an issue that you would like to use bodystorming to research, analyze and investigate, and describe how you would develop a Case Theatre scenario to do so. (6 paragraphs)**

An issue that I would like to use bodystorming to research is to create an improved alarm clock that would help waking people up with additional features and improved ring tones.

To start researching for this project, group members will buy different styles of alarm clocks that are already in the market. They will test them by using each alarm clocks a few times to examine the missing features that make alarm clocks more efficient. Currently, people often turn off the alarm clocks after a few rings and go back to sleep right away due to the annoying sound. Also, it is fairly easy to switch off the alarm with a press of a button. As a result, people often sleep in because the alarm is turned off unconsciously.

After researching the alarm clocks that are in market, group members will start bringing in new ideas base on the experiences with the current alarm clocks. Group members will think of new features that can be added to wake people up quicker and more efficient. For example, more types of ring tones to choose from such as piano, rock music, hit songs etc... Also, it could be more efficient to force people waking up if the alarm will keep moving further to the user as it rings. It is because people would have to get up and reach for the alarm to turn it off. Some lights can also be added on the alarm. When the alarm is not turned off in a certain time, lights will turn on automatically and stimulate the users.

To investigate if the ideas work or not, group members will add the new features to the alarm clock and test it themselves. Members will keep using it as the new alarm clock develops. When a feature does not work well, it can be removed or improved before it is out to the market.

I would develop a case theatre scenario by having group members to be waken up by the alarm clocks after sleeping for less than seven hours. Since it is proved that people need to get at least 7 hours of sleep in order to be waken up completely and without trouble, the efficiency of the new alarm clock can be proved when the group members have to wake up with the help of the clock after less than 7 hours of sleep. Members will point out the improvements that are needed to increase the efficiency of the alarm clock.

By bodystorming in this design project, group members are able to experience the differences between the old and new alarm clocks and also examine how it feels like to be waken up with the new features. Bodystorming allows group members to come up with improvements that are user-friendly and best fit the users.