Virtual Bodystorming: Utilizing Virtual Reality for Prototyping in Service Design

Abstract

The paper describes our ongoing work on a new prototyping method for service design, Virtual Bodystorming. Virtual Bodystorming utilizes Virtual Reality (VR) and enables the user to role-play the service scenario in a fully immersive and collaborative VR environment. In this environment, various service-related areas and objects can be recreated with 3D graphics, while distant service users, providers, designers, and facilitators can communicate and collaborate. Virtual Bodystorming aims to minimize the gap between the actual service environment and its prototype by contributing to the development of fully immersive and highly-engaging service simulations. To illustrate the practical implementation of Virtual Bodystorming, we describe its main characteristics and present a first prototype version of the method. The method was evaluated by three experienced service designers, who highlighted the strengths of Virtual Bodystorming for service prototyping, regarding immersion and engagement, while emphasizing the service designer’s significant role in directing the user interactions of the VR scene. The method was considered to be suitable for prototyping services that include human interaction and/or spatial aspects.