Early research can stall when participants are asked to imagine an undefined character product. A deliberate prompt can make the discussion more concrete without pretending the design is complete.
IDEO.org uses Conversation Starters to present ideas that provoke reactions and discussion. IDEO.org Design Kit — Conversation Starters.
Use varied prompts
For a character study, choose prompts that explore different possibilities rather than variations of the team's favourite answer. Make their provisional status clear.
Follow the reason
Ask what attracted, confused or concerned the participant. A positive reaction to one picture may concern colour rather than the underlying concept. Preserve the explanation and use it to refine the research question, without interpreting a small conversation as evidence of broad purchase demand.
Source reviewed 25 October 2026. Interpretation and original diagrams: PLUSHIP / Qunhe. Examples are illustrative.
Related reading
A Capability Check Can Expose What a Character Concept Needs to Exist
A Character Concept Needs a Coherent Delivery Model
Brainstorm Character Interactions Before Listing Accessories