Prototyping Narrative Objects

Initial ideas are often imprecise and still open in many directions. The transformation of an idea into an object helps to make it more tangible and to facilitate the communication of the idea. The so-called designed “narrative object” communicates the core of the idea such as added value, principle, need for technologies and products or function.

During the two-day workshop, we examined and discussed which criteria of process design, materiality and form influence the narrative object. From a pool of ideas, the participants prioritized ideas and designed low-complexity prototypes with the following questions, among others:

What must a prototypical implementation look like in order to keep a wide scope open and still be able to read off initial interactions and functions? Which material inspires, which details disturb?