What If cards
A futuring method, What If cards are cards with an “evocative” sketch on it with a huge title followed by a “What If” question to invoke discussion and participation of non-designers to map out and talk about hints of the possibilities.
“Aims at including outsiders or non-designers in working with the sketch in order to give directions to subsequent design activities…The postcard sized cards had a catchy headline, a sketch and two lines of text beginning with a descriptive account of an existing challenge followed by a “what-if” question. ”
Nature & context
Co-Creative, Design Technique
Resources
Card stocks, Area of focus and corresponding scenarios to be illustrated, stationery(carry depending on the participant’s artistic skills so that the amount doesn’t overwhelm or underwhelm the participant), some open ended questions (if necessary) to invoke discussion, notes, recorder.
Procedure
Before: A form of an open ended, exploratory, co-creative design technique, What If cards involves community members including non-designers (especially relevant to the design’s targeted audience/community). Some open ended questions as well as prior research about the community can initiate discussion. Followed by showing the illustrated what-if cards to co-design with the participant.
During: Record notes during the session and clarify doubts with the participant for better understanding. Care is to be taken to make the illustrations and not overwhelm the participant. Let the participant lead which in turn will uncover newer insights about the community and possible design solutions.
After: Quickly conduct an analysis, right after, of the notes, and redrawn design as well as other records generated like videos and voice notes and record/annotate your insights. Send out a thank you note to the participant.
Use Case
In the beginning on the smart and connected communities project, What if cards were used to understand possibilities of connected communities, from a participant who has lived in diverse communities (Monet). With Monet, I conducted What-If sessions to understand her thoughts on connected community, especially in relevance to the communities she has lived in before. With prior research and open ended questions we generated the first round of what-if cards which was iterated to create better design solutions.
Sense Making Data
The focus here is on the data generated during the what if session as well as the redesigned ideas, all of which will inform about the design possibilities while designing for communities as well as help curate a research plan.