• All Methods
    • Strategize
      • 5D Framework
      • Break Down 4
      • Business Model Canvas
      • Competitive Analysis
      • Could, Should, Must
      • Dot Coding
      • Eisenhower Matrix
      • Future Trends
      • Golden Circle
      • HEART Framework
      • How Might We
      • Innovation Board
      • Knowns and Unknowns Framework
      • KPI Tracking
      • Minimum Viable Product
      • One-Minute-Pitch
      • Stakeholder Map
      • SWOT Analysis
      • User Stories
      • Value Proposition
    • Observe
      • 5 Whys
      • 6 Thinking Hats
      • AEIOU Framework
      • Challenge Assumptions
      • Content Audit
      • Contextual Inquiry Plan
      • Emotional Journey Map
      • Empathy Map
      • Field Study
      • Focus Groups
      • Jobs-to-be-done
      • Journey Mapping
      • Mental Models
      • Mobile Diaries
      • Mystery Shopping
      • Netnography
      • Observation
      • Personas
      • Poems
      • Product Love Letters
      • Search-Log Analysis
      • Social Media Monitoring
      • Surveys
      • User Interviews
    • Ideate
      • 6-3-5 Brainwriting
      • Bodystorming
      • Brainstorming
      • Card Sorting
      • Collage
      • Crazy Eights
      • Dark Horse Prototyping
      • Mind Mapping
      • Moodboards
      • SCAMPER
      • Service Blueprints
      • Storyboards
      • Walt Disney Method
      • Worst Possible Ideas
      • Wow-How-Now Matrix
    • Validate
      • A/B Testing
      • Click Dummy
      • Concept Testing Plan
      • Eye Tracking
      • High-Fidelity Prototyping
      • Hypothesis Testing
      • Lessons Learned
      • Low-Fidelity Prototyping
      • Pluralistic Walkthrough
      • Poster Session
      • Remote Usability Test
      • User Testing
      • Wizard of Oz
      • World Café
    • Warm-up
      • 5 Whys
      • Brainstorming
      • Break Down 4
      • Crazy Eights
      • Destroy and Defend
      • Emoji Challenge
      • Hidden Similarities
      • Impromotion
      • Mind Mapping
      • Product Pitch
      • The Aliens Have Landed
      • Touch Blue
      • Two Truths and a Lie
      • Viewpoint Spectrogram
      • What's on your Desk?
  • Workshop Bundles
  • About us
  • Meet the Creators
  • Get Support
  1. UX Strategy Kit
  2. Methods
  3. Bodystorming
beginnerideate
BodystormingPhysically experience user scenarios.
60 – 90 min2+ Participantsworkshopteamreview
+4
Open in FigJam
Summary
As a variant of Brainstorming, Bodystorming involves gaining and validating ideas by physically placing oneself in a situation or environment. The method can be used to generate ideas as well as to optimize existing concepts, products, services, etc.
Step-by-step
  1. Prepare the place where the Bodystorming will be performed. Is it a specific environment in which the testing will take place? Or is it more about the product or service that is needed to achieve a specific goal?
  2. Organize different materials with which to craft and imitate, such as pens, tape, scissors, furniture, wood, cups, glue, post-it's, cardboard etc. The prototype may also be very abstract.
  3. It makes sense to appoint a moderator to keep track and guide the session, e.g. by making sure that the goal is not lost sight of. Tasks of the moderator:
    1. Timekeeper: Keep track of the time that has passed. Sometimes the ideas just get crazy after a certain time. Let the team consciously take short breaks to be able to stay focused.
    2. Instructor: Before the session begins, summarize for all participants what the goal is and how it can be achieved. Establish do's and don'ts, if applicable.
    3. Observer: Consider Bodystorming as an outsider to gain a different perspective.
    4. Recorder: Record the thoughts and results to discuss with the team at the end of the session.
    5. Educator: Be careful not to let the roleplay get too crazy. Even though bodystorming is a comparatively fun and free method, the session should not be taken as a fun time out.
  4. Once everything is prepared, the session can start. The participants put themselves in the shoes of specific users, stakeholders or user groups. The aim is to experience a situation from the perspective of another affected person in order to identify possible difficulties or pain points.
  5. Optional: Recording different situations with a video camera helps to remember the findings of this method later in the process or to enlighten team members who could not participate in the Bodystorming session.
  6. Together with the team, the results should then be recorded in writing and discussed to determine the next steps. What new pain points have emerged as a result of the session? How or what needs to be improved to achieve the goal?
What you need
  • Bodystorming template
  • Craft materials: pens, tape, furniture, cardboard, etc.
  • Camera (optional)
External resources
  • Bodystorming and role-playing prototype
    by Momentuv
Do you have a question?
These methods might seem simple, but applying them in a real project is another story. We’re there to help. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to get in touch with us at the User Experience Strategy & Design team.
Ask Away!
Explore similar methods
Competitive Analysisstrategize
1+ Participants
35 – 90 min

Evaluate the competition.

SCAMPERideate
1+ Participants
50 – 85 min

Stimulate new ideas and challenge existing ones.

Card Sortingideate
4 – 12 Participants
30 min

Structure information into reasonable groups.

5 Whysobserve
1 – 2 Participants
5 – 15 min

This is a very simple method for digging deep into the mind and background of users and their behaviour.

AEIOU Frameworkobserve
1+ Participants
45 – 80 min

Give your observations and field research structure by getting to know the problem's environment.

© Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, 2025.
Follow us
  • Dribbble
  • Instagram
  • Medium
  • Behance
Categories
  • Strategize
  • Observe
  • Ideate
  • Validate
  • Warm-up
Learn more
  • About Us
  • User Experience Strategy & Design
  • Liquid Design System
Legal
  • Data Privacy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Imprint
Follow us
  • Dribbble
  • Instagram
  • Medium
  • Behance