In this paper, we compare the use of physical and digital sticky notes in collaborative ideation. Inspired by a case study in a design company, we focus on a collaborative ideation task, which is often part of pair-wise brainstorming in design. For comparison and to focus on the different materiality, we developed a digital sticky notes setup designed to be as close to the physical setup as possible, not adding any advanced digital features, even though technology has reached a stage where more sophisticated use of digital sticky notes on digital boards is possible. In this paper, we present a study of ideation among pairs of experienced sticky note users. The ideation sessions were video recorded and analyzed to focus on how collaboration is supported across the two setups. Based on quantitative analyses of the participants’ interactions with the artefacts, talking patterns, position and attention during the sessions, we qualify how the differences and similarities between the 2 setups have an impact on note handling, ideation techniques, group dynamics and socio-spatial configuration, e.g. the use of the room, the boards and tables. We conclude that, while the physical setup seems more appropriate for creating notes and posting notes, the digital setup invites more note interaction. Nevertheless, we did not find significant differences in the ideation outcome (e.g., number of notes created) or how participants collaborated between the 2 setups. Hence, we argue that collaborative ideation can successfully be supported in a digital setup as well. Consequently, we believe that the next step in a technological setup is not an either or, but should bring the best of the two worlds together.

中文翻译：

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协作构想中的物理与数字便签

在本文中，我们比较了协作构想中物理和数字便签的使用。受设计公司案例研究的启发，我们专注于协作构想任务，这通常是设计中成对头脑风暴的一部分。为了进行比较并着眼于不同的重要性，我们开发了一种数字便签设置，其设计尽可能接近物理设置，即使技术已达到可以更复杂地使用数字便签的阶段，也没有添加任何高级数字功能。在数字板上可以做笔记。在本文中，我们对成对的便签用户进行了构想研究。对构想会议进行了视频录制并进行了分析，以专注于在两种设置之间如何支持协作。基于对参与者在会议期间与手工艺品，谈话模式，位置和注意力的互动的定量分析，我们确定了这两种设置之间的差异和相似性如何影响音符处理，思维技巧，小组动态和社会空间配置，例如房间，板子和桌子的使用。我们得出的结论是，虽然物理设置似乎更适合创建便笺和发布便笺，但数字设置会引起更多便笺交互。但是，我们在构思结果（例如创建的笔记数量）或参与者在这两种设置之间的协作方式上没有发现显着差异。因此，我们认为协作构想也可以在数字设置中成功得到支持。所以，