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Draw It

The Draw It method uses visual representation to unlock deeper insights and facilitate communication with individuals you are designing for. By encouraging participants to express themselves through drawing, you can bypass language barriers and gain a richer understanding of their experiences and perspectives.

15-30 min1-10 peopleMedium
When to Use

Use this method when you need to understand a user's experience, process, or environment in a more nuanced way, especially when language might be a barrier or when you want to encourage a different form of expression.

How It Works

Solves: Difficulty articulating complex experiences verbally; lack of engagement in traditional interview formats.

Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these steps to facilitate this method
  1. 1

    Step 1: Prepare materials: Ensure you have pens and paper readily available. (2 minutes)

  2. 2

    Step 2: Explain the task: Clearly articulate what you want the person to draw, providing specific context and examples. (3 minutes)

  3. 3

    Step 3: Encourage participation: Address any potential anxieties about drawing ability and offer to draw alongside them to create a safe space. (5 minutes)

  4. 4

    Step 4: Investigate the drawing: Use the drawing as a conversation starter, asking questions to understand the details and meaning behind the visual representation. (15 minutes)

Facilitator Tips
  • Emphasize that artistic skill is not important; the goal is communication.
  • Be prepared to draw yourself to model the activity and alleviate participant anxiety.
Variations
  • Collaborative Drawing: The facilitator and participant draw together to co-create a visual representation.
  • Annotated Drawing: The participant draws a basic outline, and then adds labels and notes to explain the details.
Source: IDEO Design KitLearn more