• The 4 Phases
  • All Methods
    • Phase 1Observation
      • 5 Whys
      • 6 Thinking Hats
      • AEIOU Framework
      • Card Sorting
      • Collage
      • Competitive Analysis
      • Content Audit
      • Contextual Inquiry Plan
      • Crazy Eights
      • Eisenhower Matrix
      • Empathy Map
      • Field Study
      • Focus Groups
      • Future Trends
      • How Might We
      • Hypothesis Testing
      • Jobs-to-be-done (JTBD)
      • Journey Mapping
      • Knowns and Unknowns Framework
      • Lessons Learned
      • Mental Models
      • Mind Mapping
      • Moodboards
      • Mystery Shopping
      • Netnography
      • Observation
      • Personas
      • Poems
      • Poster Session
      • Product Love Letters
      • Stakeholder Map
      • Surveys
      • World Café
      • Worst Possible Ideas
    • Phase 2Creation
      • 6 Thinking Hats
      • 6-3-5 Brainwriting
      • Bodystorming
      • Brainstorming
      • Business Model Canvas (BMC)
      • Card Sorting
      • Challenge Assumptions
      • Click Dummy
      • Collage
      • Could, Should, Must
      • Crazy Eights
      • Dark Horse Prototype
      • Eisenhower Matrix
      • Emotional Journey Map
      • Empathy Map
      • Field Study
      • Focus Groups
      • How Might We
      • Hypothesis Testing
      • Innovation Board
      • Jobs-to-be-done (JTBD)
      • Journey Mapping
      • Knowns and Unknowns Framework
      • Low-Fidelity Prototyping
      • Mental Models
      • Mind Mapping
      • Mobile Diaries
      • Moodboards
      • One-Minute-Pitch
      • Personas
      • Pluralistic Walkthrough
      • Poster Session
      • Product Love Letters
      • Remote Usability Test
      • SCAMPER
      • Service Blueprints
      • Stakeholder Map
      • Storyboards
      • Surveys
      • SWOT Analysis
      • User Testing
      • Value Proposition
      • Walt Disney Method
      • Wizard of Oz
      • World Café
      • Worst Possible Ideas
      • Wow-How-Now Matrix
    • Phase 3Implementation
      • A/B Testing
      • Business Model Canvas (BMC)
      • Could, Should, Must
      • Eye Tracking
      • Golden Circle
      • High-Fidelity Prototype
      • Innovation Board
      • Low-Fidelity Prototyping
      • Mobile Diaries
      • One-Minute-Pitch
      • Pluralistic Walkthrough
      • Product Love Letters
      • Remote Usability Test
      • Service Blueprints
      • Storyboards
      • SWOT Analysis
      • User Interviews
      • User Stories
    • Phase 4Validation
      • A/B Testing
      • Competitive Analysis
      • Concept Testing Plan
      • Contextual Inquiry Plan
      • Eye Tracking
      • HEART Framework
      • High-Fidelity Prototype
      • Hypothesis Testing
      • Innovation Board
      • KPI Tracking
      • One-Minute-Pitch
      • Pluralistic Walkthrough
      • Remote Usability Test
      • SCAMPER
      • Search-Log Analysis
      • Service Blueprints
      • Social Media Monitoring
      • Surveys
      • User Interviews
      • User Stories
      • User Testing
  • Workshop Bundles
  • About us
  • Meet the Creators
  • Get support
  1. UX Toolkit
  2. Methods
  3. Bodystorming
beginnercreation
BodystormingPhysically experience user scenarios.
60 – 90 min2+ Participantsworkshopanalogueteam
+5
Open in FigJamOpen in Miro
Summary
As a variant of Brainstorming, Bodystorming involves gaining and validating ideas by physically placing oneself in a situation or environment. The method can be used to generate ideas as well as to optimize existing concepts, products, services, etc.
Step-by-step
  1. Prepare the place where the Bodystorming will be performed. Is it a specific environment in which the testing will take place? Or is it more about the product or service that is needed to achieve a specific goal?
  2. Organize different materials with which to craft and imitate, such as pens, tape, scissors, furniture, wood, cups, glue, post-it's, cardboard etc. The prototype may also be very abstract.
  3. It makes sense to appoint a moderator to keep track and guide the session, e.g. by making sure that the goal is not lost sight of. Tasks of the moderator:
    1. Timekeeper: Keep track of the time that has passed. Sometimes the ideas just get crazy after a certain time. Let the team consciously take short breaks to be able to stay focused.
    2. Instructor: Before the session begins, summarize for all participants what the goal is and how it can be achieved. Establish do's and don'ts, if applicable.
    3. Observer: Consider Bodystorming as an outsider to gain a different perspective.
    4. Recorder: Record the thoughts and results to discuss with the team at the end of the session.
    5. Educator: Be careful not to let the roleplay get too crazy. Even though bodystorming is a comparatively fun and free method, the session should not be taken as a fun time out.
  4. Once everything is prepared, the session can start. The participants put themselves in the shoes of specific users, stakeholders or user groups. The aim is to experience a situation from the perspective of another affected person in order to identify possible difficulties or pain points.
  5. Optional: Recording different situations with a video camera helps to remember the findings of this method later in the process or to enlighten team members who could not participate in the Bodystorming session.
  6. Together with the team, the results should then be recorded in writing and discussed to determine the next steps. What new pain points have emerged as a result of the session? How or what needs to be improved to achieve the goal?
What you need
  • Craft material: pens, tape, furniture, cardboard etc.
  • Paper or whiteboard
  • Pens
  • Optional: camera
External resources
  • Bodystorming and role-playing prototype
    by Momentuv
Do you have a question?
These methods might seem simple, but applying them in a real project is another story. We’re there to help. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to get in touch with us at the User Experience Strategy & Design team.
Ask Away!
Explore similar methods
Field Studyobservation
2+ Participants
1 – 2 d

Dive into the user's life.

Content Auditobservation
1+ Participants
60+ min

Get to know existing content and become able to rate it.

Surveysobservation
50+ Participants
5 – 30 d

Method for collecting quantitive data on a certain topic.

One-Minute-Pitchcreation
2+ Participants
30 – 40 min

Break the concept down to the essential core points in the shortest time possible.

HEART Frameworkvalidation
1+ Participants
35 – 65 min

Reflect on metrics and signals.

© Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, 2022.
Follow us
  • Dribbble
  • Instagram
  • Medium
  • Behance
Phases
  • Observation
  • Creation
  • Implementation
  • Validation
Learn more
  • About Us
  • User Experience Strategy & Design
  • Liquid Design System
Legal
  • Data Privacy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Imprint
Follow us
  • Dribbble
  • Instagram
  • Medium
  • Behance
This website uses cookies to give you the best, most relevant experience. Using this website means you’re OK with this. You can change which cookies are set at any time – and find out more about them in our Cookie Policy.