Basing Design on Scenarios: the Role of Representation for the Minimization of Design Choices

We examine the effects of using scenarios in interaction design drawing on the experience from two courses held on Scenario-Based Design. In this approach to usability engineering, scenarios are employed throughout the design process to describe both the current and envisioned work context, facilitate communication between user and designer, and serve as a medium for exploration. The hypothesis elaborated in this paper is that representation of design thoughts in the form of scenarios considerably reduces the number of design options; thus, designs created using scenarios tend towards minimalism. This effect is analyzed using the notion of minimalism in different literatures, examining more closely where “less is more” and where the scenario technique decreases design choices. Author