Oppegaard, B., & Still, B. (2013). Bodystorming with Hawkins's block: Toward a new methodology for mobile media design. Mobile Media & Communication, 356-372.
The practice of bodystorming is an excellent answer to brainstorming as a way of thinking outside the normal parameters of what we think we can do with mobile devices. The technique involves using a woodblock to stand in for a device such as a smartphone, as part of the process of developing ideas for device, interface and application design. This frees the mind up to think about new possibilities, instead of the ones already inscribed on the device (the ones we are accustomed to). I think that by not using this approach, it may inhibit creativity, thereby limiting the research and design process, and limiting the potential for new discoveries. On the other hand, there are no doubt alternative methods available to achieve these same ends. Oppegaard and Still (2013) show how accessible a design technique this is, as they were able put woodblocks into the hands of members of the public to elicit ideas for application design. This demonstrates the broad potential this design approach has.
The practice of bodystorming is an excellent answer to brainstorming as a way of thinking outside the normal parameters of what we think we can do with mobile devices. The technique involves using a woodblock to stand in for a device such as a smartphone, as part of the process of developing ideas for device, interface and application design. This frees the mind up to think about new possibilities, instead of the ones already inscribed on the device (the ones we are accustomed to). I think that by not using this approach, it may inhibit creativity, thereby limiting the research and design process, and limiting the potential for new discoveries. On the other hand, there are no doubt alternative methods available to achieve these same ends. Oppegaard and Still (2013) show how accessible a design technique this is, as they were able put woodblocks into the hands of members of the public to elicit ideas for application design. This demonstrates the broad potential this design approach has.
I like your thinking, Sonya. When I was reading the article, it really made me feel that there was this method really brought out a different sense of creativity.
To me, Jeff Hawkin’s wood block approach represents imagination. For any ideas, whether it is technology or non-technology, imagination is a vital because it stimulates creativity and innovation. The wood block allowed Hawkin’s to imagine a technology that didn’t have any constraints. Carrying the wood block around and playing make-believe allowed him to figure out how people will use the technology. To simply put it, without imagination we may never have had the internet, smartphones, airplanes, and other amazing technology we rely on every day. It is a key component in any development process.
- Badges
- Science method
- Similar topics
- Methodology