2. WHEN NEEDED RATIONALE
USER PORTRAIT
Is a tangible way to synthesize user
clues
Creates a common understanding who
the user is, makes him/her explicit and
memorable
Helps the team to become personal
about the user, propelling them to
make an individual persona’s life better
‘The user’,
I want to have
his/her vivid
portrait
I want to bring
together all I
learned about
the user
I want to help a
real persona
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3. ESSENCE POINTERS
USER PORTRAIT
Bring the user to
life by composing
a semi-fictional
character
embodying the
vital user traits
Identify the user features/traits common
across all users from prior Sensing work
E.g., Amsterdam visitor, mid 30s, 2 kids, constantly in
a hurry, doesn’t speak the language, aware of his
carbon footprint
Add captivating user features/traits not
necessarily shared by all users, yet are
interesting hooks
E.g., Karl from Munich only eats raw food, updates
Facebook every day, brings his dog Max
Create a persona or select an icon who
embodies the most vital and intriguing
features/traits
E.g. Sebastian Vettel, German, always in the fast lane,
frequent flyer
Paint a portrait with images and a narrativeSource of Inspiration: IDEO method cards; Stanford d-school
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