User Experience

User Journey Emoji

Participants use emojis to visually share a recent user experience journey. This helps teams consider emotional highs and lows. The activity makes user emotions tangible and easy to discuss, revealing patterns in how people experience products and services. Emojis lower participation barriers and encourage creative expression.

Duration
15 mins
Group Size
4-20
Category
User Experience
Energy
Medium
Build empathy for user emotions throughout experiences Practice thinking about user journeys in emotional terms Create energy and engagement around user-centered thinking Help team members share perspectives and get comfortable with each other
Team members understand each other's UX perspectives. A shared vocabulary emerges for emotional user experiences. The group is energized and ready for user research. Real user journey emotions provide useful reference points.
Digital version: Use emoji reactions in tools like Miro or Mural. Physical version: Use printed emoji cards or draw emojis on sticky notes. Theme-specific: Focus on journeys related to the current design challenge. Reverse version: Start with the end result.
Encourage thinking beyond "happy" and "sad" emojis. Modeling vulnerability by sharing your own journey first can help. Keep the pace lively; avoid overthinking. Connect patterns to the team's work. It's good to have backup emojis ready.

  1. Set the scene (2 min): Ask everyone to recall a recent experience with a digital product or service. 2. Create emoji journey (5 min): Participants create 4-6 emojis representing their emotional journey from start to finish. 3. Share and guess (7 min): Each person shares their emoji sequence; others guess the experience. 4. Reflect (1 min): Briefly discuss patterns in user emotions.

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For Facilitators

  • Review participant profiles and expectations
  • Prepare all materials and supplies
  • Test technology and room setup

For Participants

  • Complete pre-session survey
  • Review background materials
  • Prepare examples or case studies

Unlock Pre-Work Requirements

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Emoji cards or printed emoji sheets Sticky notes and pens (if drawing emojis) Digital whiteboard with emoji options (for virtual sessions) Timer

Unlock Materials Required

Create a free account to access step-by-step instructions, agendas, and resources for all activities.

  • Facilitator Guide (PDF)
  • Participant Workbook Template
  • Presentation Slides
  • Printable Materials

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