Now published: The Design Conductors by Rachel Posman and John Calhoun!

This content is for Rosenfeld members only.
Do you have a Rosenfeld free membership? Please login.
Already logged in? That means this content requires a Gold membership; try it for free here!

Back to All Sessions

Keeping the Body in Mind: What Gestures and Embodied Actions Tell You That Users May Not

Conventional in-depth interviews and observational research place a premium on what people say and the way they interact with a product or design as a means to understand user needs. However, the bias in Western thought that spoken language is a synonym for expression overshadows the essential role of non-verbal communication to convey meaning. In this talk, Dr. Dane DeSutter will show you that the physical components of our expression—gesture, body posture, gaze etc.—offer researchers a unique perspective on people, our social systems, and the ways we engage with our designed environments. This talk will broaden your awareness of the embodied mind and demonstrate the value of studying the body when untangling high value problems in design and beyond.