Abstract
Bodystorming is a design method for generating new insights and ideas for service improvement through improvised, embodied roleplay. However, it is not easy to learn how to use bodystorming as a generative method. Guidance for learning focuses on how to engage in embodied social-technical interactions, but it does not specify clear goals for wanting to do so. In a case study of an out-of-hours primary care service we explored how goal setting can stimulate novice users to use bodystorming to generate insights and ideas. Over three iterations of bodystorming, a group of novice bodystormers focused on goals that they derived from the service design literature, and from weekly feedback of service workers and a user of the service in the case. The study demonstrates how goal setting informs the generative use of bodystorming, and as such can provide additional guidance to novice bodystormers.
Keywords
Bodystorming; Design Education; Service Design; Embodied Cognition
DOI
https://doi.org/10.21606/drs.2026.2271
Citation
Döver, Ö., Mohan, M., Snelders, D., Arora, N., Geng, R., Melo Signerez, P., and Delissen, M. (2026) Learning how to use bodystorming in service design for generating new insights and ideas: An application to out-of-hours primary care in the Netherlands, in Simeone, L., Gray, C. M., Verhoeven, A., de Götzen, A., Bakırlıoğlu, Y., Zohar, H., Stead, M., and Buwert, P. (eds.), DRS2026: Edinburgh, 8–12 June, Edinburgh, United Kingdom. https://doi.org/10.21606/drs.2026.2271
Creative Commons License
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Included in
Learning how to use bodystorming in service design for generating new insights and ideas: An application to out-of-hours primary care in the Netherlands
Bodystorming is a design method for generating new insights and ideas for service improvement through improvised, embodied roleplay. However, it is not easy to learn how to use bodystorming as a generative method. Guidance for learning focuses on how to engage in embodied social-technical interactions, but it does not specify clear goals for wanting to do so. In a case study of an out-of-hours primary care service we explored how goal setting can stimulate novice users to use bodystorming to generate insights and ideas. Over three iterations of bodystorming, a group of novice bodystormers focused on goals that they derived from the service design literature, and from weekly feedback of service workers and a user of the service in the case. The study demonstrates how goal setting informs the generative use of bodystorming, and as such can provide additional guidance to novice bodystormers.