LAB+WEEK+6+BODYSTORMING

Write four paragraphs defining the term 'bodystorming'. (4 paragraphs)

According to Anne Fairbrother, bodystorming is a participatory method for demonstrating or developing ideas in a physical setting. People explore ideas and interactions physically, often using props such as maps or photos to give a sense of place. Bodystorming is the step after brainstorming in that it takes the ideas off the paper and puts them into action. It helps us to understand people’s interactions with the world; in acting them out one gets a better sense of how those interactions happen and develop. It is used to build and test ideas. On paper, there isn’t any real limit to how far one can go with an idea. In bodystorming, the physical limitations can be discovered, which helps shape the ideas to proper, realistic confines. This is used in the researching stages of studies, and allows for observation and analysis of any problems or issues encountered. Examples of bodystorming are seen in the video clips from the question. The first video clip shows a couple situations with someone simulating the actions of a physically impaired individual and how they use their other senses to get around. Another clip involved role-playing a store set up to see if it would function efficiently. In both studies, bodystorming was used to test and research plausible explanations, issues, boundaries, etc of the ideas discussed in brainstorming.

Describe an issue that you would like to use bodystorming to research, analyze and investigate, and describe how you would develop a Case Theatre scenario to do so. (6 paragraphs) An issue that bodystorming could be used to research, analyze, and investigate is the design and use of the recycle bins in the UTM library. There are bins for recycling right next to the waste bins. However, with students being so busy, and worrying about other things, they don’t have time to think about which bin to put their garbage in. The waste bin is the easiest to dispose things in, and this is the main cause students by default to toss things in there. The recycle bins next to it have smaller holes in which things can be disposed therefore it takes more effort to put recyclables in them in comparison to the waste bin. The difficulty in accessibility drives students to waste more and recycle less. Moreover, the bins themselves are separated: plastic, glass, cans, paper. They are each a different colour, and have the label on the outer side of the bin, near the top surface. The colours don’t have any real meaning of association with what recyclable items it contains, therefore, students encounter issues and waste time trying to figure out where they go. All in all, they look very similar to each other, therefore complicating even more for students, where to dispose what. The bins need to be redesigned in a way that would make it simpler and more efficient for students to recycle, make them more aware of the bins’ existence, thus giving them more incentive to recycle. Furthermore, the selected designs are meant to represent the type of recyclable items that are meant to be deposited in them. All these elements, the bins should ultimately be easily distinguishable from one another, and stand out enough to attract attention to those who walk by, and ideally increase the usage as applicable. In bodystorming, the situation can be set up, like the betacup was, with people simulating the actions one would endure while recycling. In this situation though, the time taken to recycle each other would be recorded. Then the time with the new bins would be compared to the time with the old bins, to see what the difference is, if any.