PI: Prof. Larry J. Leifer

Abstract

We propose a design generative technique that we call Embodied Design Improvisation, which alternates rapidly and fluidly between storyboarding, Wizard of Oz physical prototyping, domain expert improvisation, video prototyping and crowdsourced experimentation.

We outline a line of research that further develops and operationalizes this technique in the domain of physical interaction design, where practitioners typically rely on subtle, shared cues that are difficult to codify externally, and are therefore often left unexpressed. By publishing our techniques in the context of an ongoing project, we hope to ground the method in practice, as well as provide a leading example to codify and reuse in other design domains.