Visual Storytelling: A Design Method to Capture and Validate Experience in the Early Stages of the Design Process
Sara Salevati’s Master’s thesis, Visual Storytelling: A Design Method to Capture and Validate Experience in the Early Stages of the Design Process, was submitted in 2010 at Emily Carr University of Art + Design in Canada for a Master of Applied Art in Design.
The thesis explores how visual storytelling can help designers understand complex situations, communicate research findings and validate their assumptions during the early stages of a design process. It is structured in a clear progression, beginning with an introduction and a review of design approaches, followed by chapters on visualization techniques and storytelling. The second half presents a case study, develops a visual storytelling method and concludes with the research findings.
Scientific quality and structure
One of the strongest aspects of this thesis is its clear structure. The chapters build logically from theoretical research towards practical application. The author connects topics such as human-centred design, interaction design, visualization and storytelling to establish a foundation for her own method.
In terms of Gestaltungshöhe and Innovationsgrad, the thesis presents a convincing design approach. Rather than treating storytelling only as a communication tool, Salevati uses it as a method for analysing and validating research. This is particularly interesting because it gives visual design a role beyond its final appearance.
The work also demonstrates a high level of independence. The author identifies a problem from her own design experience and develops a research approach to investigate it. The communication is generally clear, and the use of diagrams, figures and storyboards supports the written explanations.
The scope of the thesis is appropriate, with 69 pages including its bibliography. Its literature review brings together different areas of design research. However, the research is mainly based on existing design literature and a relatively focused case study. The bibliography provides a useful theoretical foundation, although the thesis itself also identifies a lack of literature specifically explaining how to capture user experiences through visual stories. Regarding orthography and accuracy, the document appears carefully organised, but I would not consider this a major strength or weakness without a detailed proofreading assessment.
Evaluation of the practical work
The practical part is based on a case study with fourth-year Interaction Design students at Emily Carr University. They worked on a patient-tracking system for the emergency department of BC Children’s Hospital. Through three workshops, students developed storyboards representing the experiences of different stakeholders, including children, parents, doctors and hospital staff.
This practical work is closely connected to the research questions. The storyboards helped students identify gaps in their understanding, recognise different perspectives and discuss their interpretations with users. Importantly, the practical outcome is not a finished product or application, but a method supported by workshops and visual documentation.
A limitation is that the case study focuses on one specific context and a relatively small group. Therefore, the findings are useful but cannot automatically be generalised to every design situation.
Conclusion and relevance to my own work
Overall, I consider this a strong and relevant Master’s thesis. Its main strength is the connection between theory, visual methods and practical research. Its limitation is the relatively narrow scope of the case study.
For my own work in Communication Design, the most valuable lesson is that visual storytelling can be used not only to present research findings, but also to develop and question them. I find this particularly relevant when working with complex topics that involve different perspectives. It reminds me that visual communication can be part of the research process itself, rather than simply the final way of presenting its results.
you can find the thesis here: https://pdf.core.ac.uk/corefilesystem/pdf/1195/55293266.pdf?se=2026-11-02T20%3A58%3A12Z&sp=r&sv=2026-10-06&sr=b&rscd=inline%3B%20filename%3D%2255293266.pdf%22&rsct=application/pdf&sig=0VPnXiATG9iDfYeVl2tzmTv9Pw4CF3j04eFbsNPrw%2Bk%3D
