User participatory sketching in user requirements gathering

In this paper we present User Participatory Sketching as a complementary approach to user requirements gathering methods. We apply the approach in an empirical study and investigate its potential benefits early in interaction design processes. The findings from a case study suggest the User Participatory Sketching approach can complement conventional user requirement gathering techniques in the aspects of: (1) tangibilizing communication; (2) contextualizing design concepts; and (3) unveiling underlying thoughts. The sketches created by the users may also facilitate design by providing recourses for idea exploration, documenting the users' requirements in a visual way and allowing for further interpretations. © 2012 ISSN 1881-803X.