Using sketching to support design research in new ways

In this paper we contribute to the community's understanding about the relationship between religion and technology use. Simultaneously, we demonstrate how sketching supports the creative design process in novel ways. We describe how we used sketching to translate findings from our fieldwork examining Charismatic Pentecostals and technology use in Sao Paulo, Brazil, into conceptual design concepts. We then presented these sketches to the participants who motivated and inspired the ideas depicted in the drawings. Findings from these interviews suggest that sketching can be used to uncover value differences between users and designers, highlight promising design ideas, and validate qualitative research findings. We conclude with a discussion describing how our use of sketching illustrates the intellectual rigor involved in design research.