Build up a detailed account of the design placed in a real world situation. Develop characters and setting. Who that character is, why they are there and what they are thinking all help to clarify user issues that may need to be considered in the final design. While the setting paints a picture of how and where interactions could take place and helps to identify missed opportunities.

Exploration through scenario writing is difficult due to the bias toward high levels of detail. Once the concept is ready for development or further expansion however, changing the setting or the character can throw up interesting challenges.

Designer:


  1. •Detailed record of key interactions

  2. •A basis for explaining the concept to others

  3. •Creative approach to insight generation


User Group:


  1. •Standardised format for comprehending detailed information

  2. •Easily visualise benefits from personal perspective

  3. •More involving than typical bullet points or specifications

Designers tell stories to understand the world around them. Capturing the vast amount of detail locked inside that story can sometimes only be done by focusing on one particular scenario.