Final answer:
The phase in the design process that involves gathering user stories and design is the exploration or conceptualization phase, where ideas are generated and potential designs are developed, prototyped, and evaluated.
Step-by-step explanation:
The phase in the design process that involves gathering user stories and design is the exploration or conceptualization phase.
During this phase, the design team generates ideas, explores possibilities, and understands the design characteristics. It is an iterative process where concepts are developed, prototyped, and evaluated, leading to refinement and improvement of the design.