A designer's collection structure may differ from how people make sense of the characters. A card-sort conversation can reveal that difference before the range is fixed.
IDEO.org's Card Sort method uses cards to explore participants' priorities and interpretations. IDEO.org Design Kit — Card Sort.
Keep the cards comparable
For a character study, use a consistent presentation and avoid making one option visibly more finished. Ask the participant to explain the groups they create rather than imposing the studio's categories immediately.
Preserve the explanation
A grouping by mood means something different from a grouping by intended recipient. Keep those reasons with the result. The exercise informs design understanding; it is not a representative sales forecast or a binding choice of the final collection.
Source reviewed 25 October 2026. Interpretation and original diagrams: PLUSHIP / Qunhe. Examples are illustrative.
Related reading
Map Who Can Influence a Character-Design Decision
A Character Concept Needs a Coherent Delivery Model
Brainstorm Character Interactions Before Listing Accessories