Enhancing the Design Process with Drama-Related Methods

Abstract

This paper presents a critical review of several applications of drama-related methods of design, discussing their benefits and limitations and providing comment on practical aspects of their implementation. Drama-related methods can shed light on the contexts in which a new product will be used, helping to clarify any potential issues users may have with the design. These methods can improve communication and facilitate more fruitful collaboration between the various stakeholders. Improvisation can be used to improve the effectiveness and reliability of brainstorming sessions. However, the level of acting skill required of the participants needs consideration, and must be appropriate to the purpose of the evaluation. Also, drama methods generally add resources to the design process, and there is a lack of validation studies of tangible improvements to the designed product. We provide recommendations for design-drama approaches with the potential to benefit different stages of a product’s development.

Keywords:

• drama
• acting
• design

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AH/K00266X/1) and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EP/M02315X/1).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Glyn Lawson

Glyn Lawson is an Associate Professor, and member of the Human Factors Research Group, within the Faculty of Engineering at The University of Nottingham. His research interests include the human factors of advanced technologies for design and manufacturing applications. Glyn’s background combines academia and industry, having previously worked as a Design Ergonomist for Jaguar Land Rover.

Michael Brown

Michael Brown is a Senior Human Factors Research Fellow at the University of Nottingham, working on a number of projects relating to the human impact of technology within the Digital Economy. He has a varied background having work in the fields of Applied Psychology, User Centred Design, Human-Computer Interaction and Human Factors, within the specialist domains of Healthcare, Game Design, Geographic Information and the Internet of Things.

Tim Coughlan

Tim Coughlan is a Lecturer in the Institute of Educational Technology at The Open University. He conducts human-computer interaction research with a particular interest in technologies to support creativity and collaboration, open education, open data and inclusion.

Anne Floyde

Anne Floyde is a member of the Human Factors Research Group at The University of Nottingham.

Sharon Baurley

Sharon Baurley is Professor of Design and Head of Design Products at the Royal College of Art, London. Previously collaborating on research with Vodafone and HP Labs, Professor Baurley is currently working with Horizon, a Digital Economy Research Hub funded by the RCUK Digital Economy programme. Outside of academic practice, Professor Baurley is widely experienced in industrial partnerships and has consulted for Courtaulds Textiles, London, Marks & Spencer, London, and Unilever, UK, and produced design work for Design Intelligence, UK.

Meretta Elliott

Meretta Elliott is a senior lecturer in Theatre at Brunel University and a member of the Centre for Contemporary and Digital Performance. She trained as an actress and specialises in applied drama practice including Forum Theatre and role play techniques. Meretta has collaborated on a range of training projects including Custody training for Kent Constabulary, Hillingdon Borough Council workers and advanced training for medical practitioners.

Therese Koppe

Therese Koppe is currently studying on a Directing Documentary Masters Programme at Filmuniversität Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF. She has worked with filmmaker Mizgin Müjde Arslan in realising fiction and non-fiction film projects with the production company Blueartsfilm.

Allen Tsai

Allen Tsai is an Innovation Strategist at Idea Couture. Coming from a background of industrial design, Allen has adopted a comprehensive ability producing works in industrial design, product development, service design, user interface design, design research and strategy throughout the years.