3.2. Activity Steps

1. Framing (5 min): Facilitator reads the persona aloud; the class brainstorms context questions.

In the first step, the facilitator introduces the persona, which is a fictional character representing a real user. This brief introduction takes around 5 minutes. The purpose is to get everyone on the same page. As a class, students brainstorm questions that help them understand the persona's context better. This helps to clarify what information they need to gather to empathize with the user.

Imagine you are preparing for a birthday party for a friend. Before inviting others, you discuss with your group what your friend likes, which could help you select the right themes and activities. This brainstorming session is similar to discussing context questions about the persona.

2. Silent Note Capture (10 min): Individually, students jot one insight per sticky note under each quadrant: ○ Says: Direct quotes or imagined dialogue. ○ Thinks: Unspoken beliefs or worries. ○ Does: Observable actions or routines. ○ Feels: Emotions identified through posture or tone.

During this step, students spend 10 minutes individually writing insights related to the persona. Each student uses sticky notes to categorize their insights into four areas: what the persona says, thinks, does, and feels. This allows for a comprehensive view of the user’s experience, helping to capture both their words and emotions.

Think of a detective gathering clues about a suspect before making an arrest. They observe what the suspect does, what they say to others, and must consider what the suspect might be thinking or feeling. Each sticky note represents a clue that will form a clearer picture of the user's needs.

3. Cluster & Label (10 min): Groups cluster notes into themes (e.g., “fragile items fear,” “time pressure”) and label each cluster.

In this step, students come together in groups and organize their sticky notes into related themes. This clustering process helps them identify patterns in the insights gathered. Once the notes are grouped, students create labels for each cluster to summarize the themes. This makes it easier to visualize and discuss findings during later stages.

Imagine sorting through a box of mixed Lego pieces to find blue blocks. You organize the blocks into categories, like size or shape, so you can easily find what you need later. Clustering notes similarly allows students to identify important themes quickly.

4. Insight Statement (5 min): Presenter writes a concise insight: “Noah needs a secure way to carry delicate artwork without bulky packaging, because he sketches in transit.”

Finally, each group formulates a concise insight statement based on the clustered themes. This statement encapsulates what they’ve learned about the persona’s needs. It should be clear and actionable, guiding the next steps in the design process. This takes about 5 minutes.

Think of writing a summary for a book you just read. You want to convey the main message in one or two sentences. Similarly, the insight statement summarizes the most important need of the persona in a clear way to inform the design process.

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