Short answer
Integrate arts-based and performative methods into user research to uncover richer emotional and social data, and consider the ethical, social, and environmental impact of designs.
- Field
- User-Centred Design
- Source
- TSpace (University of Toronto) (2014)
- Method
- Arts-infused ethnography, including theatre rehearsals, place-based rituals, and walking interviews.
- Evidence
- Moderate effect
Engaging youth in drama and theatre production can reveal complex social relations, emotional responses, and environmental awareness. This user-centred design research insight is drawn from a 2014 study published in TSpace (University of Toronto). Using Arts-infused ethnography, including theatre rehearsals, place-based rituals, and walking interviews., researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Integrate arts-based and performative methods into user research to uncover richer emotional and social data, and consider the ethical, social, and environmental impact of designs.
Youth-Created Theatre as a Tool for Understanding Social Dynamics
Engaging youth in drama and theatre production can reveal complex social relations, emotional responses, and environmental awareness.
TSpace (University of Toronto) · 2014
Key Findings
- 01Drama and theatre can serve as powerful methodological tools for generating rich data on affect, including pleasure and frustration.
- 02Youth engagement in theatre can reveal normalized privilege and reactions against it.
- 03Theatre and drama can be viewed as ethical, social, and environmental art forms when practiced with youth.
Application
Design takeaway
Integrate arts-based and performative methods into user research to uncover richer emotional and social data, and consider the ethical, social, and environmental impact of designs.
How to apply
When researching user groups, consider incorporating workshops, role-playing, or creative expression activities to understand their perspectives beyond verbal responses.
Project actions
- 01Consider using role-playing or creative storytelling in your user research.
- 02Observe how users interact in group settings and how their emotions influence their behaviour.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Utilizes innovative, arts-based research methods.
- +Provides rich qualitative data on user emotions and social interactions.
Limitations
The findings may not be generalizable to all age groups or cultural contexts.
Reliability & validity
Reliability could be enhanced through triangulation of data from multiple performative activities and interviews. Validity is strengthened by the ethnographic depth and focus on lived experience.
Think critically
How might the performative nature of this research introduce bias, and how can designers mitigate this when using similar methods?
Design Principles
"Embrace performative and artistic methodologies to access deeper layers of user experience and social context."
This research highlights how creative, participatory methods like theatre can uncover nuanced insights into user experiences and social contexts that traditional research might miss. It suggests that design projects can benefit from incorporating artistic and performative elements to better understand the lived realities of their target users.
What This Means for Your Design
Using drama and theatre with young people can help researchers understand their feelings, how they interact with each other, and their views on their environment.
How to use in your project
- 1.Reference this study when discussing the use of qualitative, arts-based methods for user research.
- 2.Explain how drama or role-playing can be used to elicit emotional responses and social dynamics from users.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
This research demonstrates the value of arts-based methodologies, such as drama and theatre, in uncovering rich qualitative data about user experiences, emotions, and social dynamics. By engaging participants in performative activities, designers can gain deeper insights into user behaviour and perceptions, which can then inform more empathetic and effective design solutions.
Source
TSpace (University of Toronto)
Three Performances of the Postmetropolis: Youth, Drama, Theatre, and Pedagogy
journal · 2014
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about youth-created theatre as a tool for understanding social dynamics?
- Integrate arts-based and performative methods into user research to uncover richer emotional and social data, and consider the ethical, social, and environmental impact of designs. Evidence: TSpace (University of Toronto) (2014).
- Why does "Youth-Created Theatre as a Tool for Understanding Social Dynamics" matter for design?
- This research highlights how creative, participatory methods like theatre can uncover nuanced insights into user experiences and social contexts that traditional research might miss. It suggests that design projects can benefit from incorporating artistic and performative elements to better understand the lived realities of their target users.
- How can designers apply this research?
- Integrate arts-based and performative methods into user research to uncover richer emotional and social data, and consider the ethical, social, and environmental impact of designs.
- What were the main findings?
- Drama and theatre can serve as powerful methodological tools for generating rich data on affect, including pleasure and frustration.. Youth engagement in theatre can reveal normalized privilege and reactions against it.. Theatre and drama can be viewed as ethical, social, and environmental art forms when practiced with youth.
- What research method was used?
- Arts-infused ethnography, including theatre rehearsals, place-based rituals, and walking interviews..
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2014 journal from TSpace (University of Toronto).
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When researching user groups, consider incorporating workshops, role-playing, or creative expression activities to understand their perspectives beyond verbal responses.
- What are the limitations?
- The findings are specific to the context of youth in a Canadian suburban setting and the particular theatre production studied.