Physical Versus Digital Sticky Notes in Collaborative Ideation

Abstract

Abstract. In this paper, we compare the use of physical and digital sticky notes in collaborative ideation. Inspired by a case study in a design company, we focus on a collaborative ideation task, which is often part of pair-wise brainstorming in design. For comparison and to focus on the different materiality, we developed a digital sticky notes setup designed to be as close to the physical setup as possible, not adding any advanced digital features, even though technology has reached a stage where more sophisticated use of digital sticky notes on digital boards is possible. In this paper, we present a study of ideation among pairs of experienced sticky note users. The ideation sessions were video recorded and analyzed to focus on how collaboration is supported across the two setups. Based on quantitative analyses of the participants' interactions with the artefacts, talking patterns, position and attention during the sessions, we qualify how the differences and similarities between the 2 setups have an impact on note handling, ideation techniques, group dynamics and socio-spatial configuration, e.g. the use of the room, the boards and tables. We conclude that, while the physical setup seems more appropriate for creating notes and posting notes, the digital setup invites more note interaction. Nevertheless, we did not find significant differences in the ideation outcome (e.g., number of notes created) or how participants collaborated between the 2 setups. Hence, we argue that collaborative ideation can successfully be supported in a digital setup as well. Consequently, we believe that the next step in a technological setup is not an either or, but should bring the best of the two worlds together.

How to Digitally Enhance Bioeconomy Collaboration: Multidisciplinary Research Team Ideation for Technology Innovation

“…Interestingly, the method of sharing ideas in Innoduel, working individually while also synchronously on idea prioritisation, also deepened the knowledge sharing experience in face-to-face group discussions. Similar to what was highlighted by Jensen et al (2018), combining the best of the physical and digital worlds seemed in our observations to enhance the ideation process of a multidisciplinary team, while supporting the team in framing and prioritising their research interests.…”

User Experience of Creativity Support Tools – A Literature Review in a Management Context

“…For example, digital and analogue sticky notes have different advantages, but in one experiment, there were no significant differences in the result of a brainstorming session. Nonetheless, it was found that the users adapted to the respective usage possibilities and that the digital sticky notes stimulated more interaction [33].…”

“…Another important topic examined with regard to the user experience of Creativity Support Tools is the usage characteristics of the hardware used e. g. [32], [33]. By combining different hardware devices, their own advantages can be used to optimize the consulting process in group work.…”

Building community at distance: a datathon during COVID-19

“…Enter the replacement “virtual sticky notes” process, seen in Figure 1. Recent scholarship has suggested that, in small-group ideation settings at least, a digital version of sticky-note exercise may encourage more interaction than physical ones; and, in any case, did not lead to significant differences in ideation outcomes (Jensen et al , 2018b, p. 609; Jensen et al , 2018a, p. 224; Chulvi et al , 2017, p. 7). Other scholarship, however, has noted the difficulties of “replicat[ing] the material affordances of paper that enable such rich flexibility.” (Harboe and Huang, 2015, p. 99) Given our specific needs, which was to bring people together into teams – where most of the idea generation would subsequently happen – we were curious whether our experience would bear out these earlier experiences.…”