Short answer

When designing interactive or immersive experiences, consider how users will physically move and interact within the space, and use methods that capture this embodied dimension.

Field: User-Centred Design
Source: UTS ePRESS (University of Technology Sydney) (2005)
Method: Qualitative research, Design research, User research, Prototyping, Scenario-based design
Evidence: Moderate effect

Utilizing movement-oriented personas and scenarios, informed by movement schemas like Labanotation, can effectively represent diverse user interactions within immersive environments, leading to a more user-centred design outcome. This user-centred design research insight is drawn from a 2005 study published in UTS ePRESS (University of Technology Sydney). Using Qualitative research, design research, user research, prototyping, scenario-based design, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: When designing interactive or immersive experiences, consider how users will physically move and interact within the space, and use methods that capture this embodied dimension.

Study

User-Centred DesignHigh ImpactModerate effect

Movement-Oriented Personas Enhance Immersive Environment Design

UTS ePRESS (University of Technology Sydney) · 2005

Key Findings

01Movement-oriented personas and scenarios effectively capture the embodied and social aspects of user interaction.
02Labanotation provided a structured method for representing group choreography and movement schemas.
03Enactment of the user interaction script in a prototype allowed designers to experience and evaluate the intended user experience.

Application

Design takeaway

When designing interactive or immersive experiences, consider how users will physically move and interact within the space, and use methods that capture this embodied dimension.

How to apply

When designing a new interactive exhibit or public space, create personas that describe not just user goals but also their typical movement patterns and physical interactions within the environment.

Project actions

01When defining user personas, include a section on their typical physical interactions and movement habits.
02Consider using simple movement diagrams or scenarios to illustrate how users will navigate and engage with your design.

Method & Evidence

AimHow can movement-oriented personas and scenarios be developed and integrated into the design process to represent multiple users and their interactions within an immersive environment?

MethodQualitative research, Design research, User research, Prototyping, Scenario-based design

ProcedureDeveloped movement-oriented personas and scenarios, integrated them into a user interaction script, linked schemas to Labanotation for group choreography, and enacted the script within a prototype environment to evaluate aesthetic, kinaesthetic, and social interactional qualities.

ContextDesign of interactive, immersive environments for public spaces, specifically an artistic work for an exhibition.

Variables

IVMovement-oriented personas and scenarios, Labanotation schemas

DVUser experience (aesthetic, kinaesthetic, social interactional qualities), design effectiveness

CVPrototype environment, specific artistic work context

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Holistic approach to user representation, incorporating physical and social dimensions.
+Practical application of abstract movement concepts to design.

Limitations

The complexity of formal movement notation systems might be a barrier for some design projects.

Reliability & validity

The validity of the personas and scenarios was assessed through enactment and designer experience. Reliability would depend on consistent application of the methodology.

Think critically

To what extent can movement-oriented personas be generalized beyond artistic installations to more functional product design?

Design Principles

"Design for embodied interaction by understanding and representing user movement and kinesthetics."

This approach moves beyond static user representations by incorporating the dynamic and embodied nature of human interaction. For designers of interactive installations, public spaces, or any environment requiring physical engagement, understanding how users will move and interact kinesthetically is crucial for creating intuitive and engaging experiences.

What This Means for Your Design

Think about how people will move around and use a space, not just what they want to do. Using movement ideas can help you design better interactive experiences.

How to use in your project

1.Use movement-oriented personas to justify design decisions related to spatial layout, interface placement, and interaction flow.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

The development of movement-oriented personas and scenarios, informed by movement schemas, proved instrumental in understanding and designing for the embodied and social dimensions of user interaction within an immersive environment. This approach ensured that the dynamic nature of user engagement was central to the design process, leading to a more user-centred outcome.

Source

UTS ePRESS (University of Technology Sydney)

Moving bodies, social selves: movement-oriented personas and scenarios

journal · 2005

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about movement-oriented personas enhance immersive environment design?: When designing interactive or immersive experiences, consider how users will physically move and interact within the space, and use methods that capture this embodied dimension. Evidence: UTS ePRESS (University of Technology Sydney) (2005).
Why does "Movement-Oriented Personas Enhance Immersive Environment Design" matter for design?: This approach moves beyond static user representations by incorporating the dynamic and embodied nature of human interaction. For designers of interactive installations, public spaces, or any environment requiring physical engagement, understanding how users will move and interact kinesthetically is crucial for creating intuitive and engaging experiences.
How can designers apply this research?: When designing interactive or immersive experiences, consider how users will physically move and interact within the space, and use methods that capture this embodied dimension.
What were the main findings?: Movement-oriented personas and scenarios effectively capture the embodied and social aspects of user interaction.. Labanotation provided a structured method for representing group choreography and movement schemas.. Enactment of the user interaction script in a prototype allowed designers to experience and evaluate the intended user experience.
What research method was used?: Qualitative research, Design research, User research, Prototyping, Scenario-based design.
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2005 journal from UTS ePRESS (University of Technology Sydney).
What should I do differently in my next project?: When designing a new interactive exhibit or public space, create personas that describe not just user goals but also their typical movement patterns and physical interactions within the environment.
What are the limitations?: The study focused on a specific artistic installation, and the applicability to other domains may vary. The complexity of Labanotation might require specialized expertise.