Kinds of ‘moving’ in designing with sticky notes

Abstract

We explore why and how designers move sticky notes by conducting a visuospatial analysis of sticky note moves as they unfold across time in design practice. We find that individual sticky note moves have a relatively stable sequential order containing strategies for directing and maintaining shared attention. Further, three kinds of sticky note movements are found pertaining to the formation of associations, categories, and partial solution structures. Moving sticky notes provides support for conceptual design centrally through attending to the proximity between notes across time in gesture and placement. Proximity serves as a marker of associative strength and category centrality, and also plays a key role in the structural build-up of relationships between objects. • We explore how and why design teams move sticky notes around on boards. • The moving of sticky notes help facilitate shared attention and turn-taking. • Sticky note moves help form associations, categories, and relational structure. • The visuospatial proximity between sticky notes serve as information in several ways.