Video sketches: exploring pervasive computing interaction designs

Some industry designers have used video scenarios - short movies that show how users might actually interact with a product. However, cost and production issues undermine this method´s usefulness. To address this challenge, the author and his students have developed a new method called video sketches. Although similar to video scenarios, video sketches significantly lower the production threshold by replacing video footage with photos. Unlike traditional video, video sketches require tools that most design students have on hand. Students used consumer-level digital still cameras and laptops as their main tools. They composited the images using standard graphic design software and constructed the linear story using low-end video-editing software. Audio production presented the most difficult challenge. Students produced their video sketches following the traditional three-phase (preproduction, production, and postproduction) process. Traditional cinematography issues also apply to making video sketches.