Using dramaturgical methods to gain more dynamic user understanding in user-centered design

Abstract

In this paper we introduce the method of dramaturgical reading, which was originally a method of producing different crystallized and associative theatrical and graphical presentations of a role character in a drama context. We transfer dramaturgical reading into the field of user-centered design in order to understand, analyze and represent user-centered material. We compare a persona created with dramaturgical reading to a user profile and persona. We state that adapting a role character as an embodied and concrete user description in user-centered design improves the designers' ability to empathize and understand the users, thus improving the results of the design process. We believe personas must be enabled to "come to life" and allowed to develop in the minds of the designers using them. The dramaturgical method is one way of accomplishing this.