Tool details
Draw It
A visual way of interviewing and learning more about the users.
Tool category:
Tool thumbnail
When to use
You want to ensure that you are not losing insight because it can be hard for your interviewee to explain something with words.
Why you should
Drawing is a fantastic way to bridge language barriers and can help the person you're designing for organise their thoughts visually and reflect together.
What you get
Drawings that give you a glance into the interviewee's world.
Steps to take
Make sure you have pen and paper handy when talking with the people you're designing for. Even a sheet torn out of your notebook works great.
When you want the person you're designing for to draw something, give them a clear idea of what you're after. A map of their daily route to work? A timeline of their shopping routines? What percentage of their income are spend on what areas?
If you want to dig deeper into the drawings, you can use the drawings as conversation starter, so you get a deeper understanding of the person you're designing for. Use the drawings as a starting point for asking questions and talking about the topic of research.
Further reading
The person you're designing for may feel intimidated or that she's not a good artist. Help her over that fear, or be then one to draw first (in a very simple way) so that she doesn't feel embarrassed.