Stream of Consciousness

Stream of consciousness mirrors the organic, non-linear patterns of human thought. Devoid of grammatical constraints, punctuations, or boundaries, your mind freely navigates its course. It embarks on a journey of free association, influenced by the stimuli in its immediate surroundings. Employed in literature, the stream of consciousness provides a unique window into a character’s inner thoughts, akin to eavesdropping.

When viewed through a design lens, we are interested in gaining these rather personal insights from clients, collaborators, and end consumers. A stream of consciousness exercise unveils the thoughts, attitudes, and emotions of a user. This methodology is frequently embraced by User Experience (UX) designers and researchers, particularly during software testing. During these exercises, participants are encouraged to verbally articulate what they are feeling, doing, and thinking.

Designers can leverage the stream of consciousness approach in two ways. First, integrate verbatim first-person transcription of streams of thought directly into your narratives; at a minimum, pull the most relevant elements into your story. This technique lays bare the inner workings of those participating in the study.

Second, incorporate this method into your research practices. The insights gleaned are actionable and valuable inputs for your design practice. This approach is particularly practical when aiming to establish a singular point of view. In cases where multiple perspectives are offered, ensure that each narration, or part thereof, is represented in your story. The stream of consciousness reveals what a person is thinking and, more crucially, sheds light on how they think.

In capturing the stream of consciousness of a participant, I encourage them to use run-on sentences and avoid punctuations unless there is no alternative. How-ever, they are permitted to say period, dash, and ellips-es as long as the stream reflects open and unencumbered thought. If they become stuck or frustrated, they are encouraged to verbalize those feelings.

Engaging in stream of consciousness writing takes the reader on a captivating journey through an individual’s mind. It introduces a raw, gritty quality that eludes the constraints of an organized conversation. Reading narration in this form feels like echoing genuine thoughts, departing from the familiar, factual, step-by-step storytelling we’ve grown accustomed to.

Designers should embrace a stream-of-consciousness approach in brainstorming, setting aside formality to encourage uninhibited, organic ideas. This can help break creative blocks and reveal hidden perspectives.