Journal Article•
Thoughtful Interaction Design: A Design Perspective on Information Technology
TL;DR: This book serves to provide a bridge from design to IT, and is important because designers increasingly work with information technologists and epistemologically their worlds are quite different.
Abstract: JONAS LOWGREN AND ERIK STOLTERMAN THOUGHTFUL INTERACTION DESIGN A DESIGN PERSPECTIVE ON INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY MIT Press, 2004 ISBN 0-262-12271-5, 198 pages, hardbound, black and white illustrations, $35.00 When I picked up this book, I thought I'd give it a quick browse. The early pages confirmed this approach as it identified its goal as representing design to information technology (IT). However by the end of the first chapter I knew I needed to read it thoroughly. The authors are in the Scandinavian human-centered tradition that emphasizes development of the human side of technology use. As designers in search of digital solutions, they traverse design processes, understanding people and technology in use and development. This book is important because designers increasingly work with information technologists and epistemologically their worlds are quite different. What is important, what constitutes evidence for a solution, how a process unfolds and what is the goal are all somewhat different between these disciplines. Many designers lack basic understanding of science or logic and find interdisciplinary work difficult or even troubling. This book serves to provide a bridge from design to IT. Another book is needed for traffic going in the other direction, from IT to design. In an early chapter the authors develop terms for the design process in order to speak clearly about it; the terms are vision, a largely intuitive first organizing principle for what will unfold; operative image, the externalization of the vision that bridges the abstract and the concrete; and specification, the transition from an operative image into a specific something to be built. The way a designer works, holistically, fluidly and in a search for the character of an emergent whole, is significantly different from that of an engineer. The authors enumerate design ability with the following (p. 45): * Creating and shaping demands creative and analytical ability * Deciding demands critical judgment * Working with a client demands rationality and ability to communicate * Design of structural qualities demands knowledge of technology and material * Design of functional qualities demands knowledge of technology use * Design of ethical qualities demands knowledge of relevant values and ideals * Design of aesthetic qualities demands an ability to appreciate and compose After establishing design fundamentals, a chapter explores design methods and techniques. …
Citations
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TL;DR: An anatomy of prototypes is proposed as a framework for prototype conceptualization that views prototypes not only in their role in evaluation but also in their generative role in enabling designers to reflect on their design activities in exploring a design space.
Abstract: The role of prototypes is well established in the field of HCI and Design. A lack of knowledge, however, about the fundamental nature of prototypes still exists. Researchers have attempted to identify different types of prototypes, such as low- vs. high-fidelity prototypes, but these attempts have centered on evaluation rather than support of design exploration. There have also been efforts to provide new ways of thinking about the activity of using prototypes, such as experience prototyping and paper prototyping, but these efforts do not provide a discourse for understanding fundamental characteristics of prototypes. In this article, we propose an anatomy of prototypes as a framework for prototype conceptualization. We view prototypes not only in their role in evaluation but also in their generative role in enabling designers to reflect on their design activities in exploring a design space. We base this framework on the findings of two case studies that reveal two key dimensions: prototypes as filters and prototypes as manifestations. We explain why these two dimensions are important and how this conceptual framework can benefit our field by establishing more solid and systematic knowledge about prototypes and prototyping.
557 citations
16 Aug 2010
TL;DR: A critique of current RtD practices within the HCI research and interaction design communities is performed, showing possible directions for further developments and refinements of the approach.
Abstract: The field of HCI is experiencing a growing interest in Research through Design (RtD), a research approach that employs methods and processes from design practice as a legitimate method of inquiry. We are interested in expanding and formalizing this research approach, and understanding how knowledge, or theory, is generated from this type of design research. We conducted interviews with 12 leading HCI design researchers, asking them about design research, design theory, and RtD specifically. They were easily able to identify different types of design research and design theory from contemporary and historical design research efforts, and believed that RtD might be one of the most important contributions of design researchers to the larger research community. We further examined three historical RtD projects that were repeatedly mentioned in the interviews, and performed a critique of current RtD practices within the HCI research and interaction design communities. While our critique summarizes the problems, it also shows possible directions for further developments and refinements of the approach.
461 citations
Cites background from "Thoughtful Interaction Design: A De..."
...A few also mentioned Löwgren and Stolterman’s Thoughtful Interaction Design, noting how it characterizes the designer during the activity of design [27]....
[...]
29 Apr 2007
TL;DR: It is argued that the notion of computational composites provides a precise understanding of the computer as material, and of how computations need to be combined with other materials to come to expression as material.
Abstract: Computational composite is introduced as a new type of composite material. Arguing that this is not just a metaphorical maneuver, we provide an analysis of computational technology as material in design, which shows how computers share important characteristics with other materials used in design and architecture. We argue that the notion of computational composites provides a precise understanding of the computer as material, and of how computations need to be combined with other materials to come to expression as material. Besides working as an analysis of computers from a designer's point of view, the notion of computational composites may also provide a link for computer science and human-computer interaction to an increasingly rapid development and use of new materials in design and architecture.
219 citations
Cites background from "Thoughtful Interaction Design: A De..."
...Correspondingly, the notion of a computer–be it a ubiquitous one–is not very illuminating, and instead we begin to use notions such as interactive products [25], digital artifacts [19], computational things [15], etc....
[...]
07 May 2016
TL;DR: It is proposed that the Somaesthetic Appreciation designs share a subtleness in how they encourage and spur bodily inquiry in their choice of interaction modalities, and they rely on articulation of bodily experiences to encourage learning and increased somatic awareness.
Abstract: We propose a strong concept we name Somaesthetic Appreciation based on three different enquiries. First, our own autobiographical design enquiry, using Feldenkrais as a resource in our design process, bringing out the Soma Carpet and Breathing Light applications. Second, through bringing in others to experience our systems, engaging with and qualitatively analysing their experiences of our applications. In our third enquiry, we try to pin down what characterises and sets Somaesthetic Appreciation designs apart through comparing with and analysing others' design inquiries as well as grounding them in the somaesthetic theories. We propose that the Somaesthetic Appreciation designs share a subtleness in how they encourage and spur bodily inquiry in their choice of interaction modalities, they require an intimate correspondence -- feedback and interactions that follow the rhythm of the body, they entail a distinct manner of making space shutting out the outside world -- metaphorically and literally -- to allow users to turn their attention inwards, and they rely on articulation of bodily experiences to encourage learning and increased somatic awareness.
206 citations
Cites background from "Thoughtful Interaction Design: A De..."
...Or as expressed by Löwgren and Stolterman, we had to access the dynamic gestalt of the interaction [30]....
[...]
01 Feb 2015-International Journal of Human-computer Studies \/ International Journal of Man-machine Studies
TL;DR: A “tool-to-think-with” that provides a language that allows designers, researchers and practitioners to construct solid arguments about the appropriateness of their stances, choices and judgements by guiding designers,Researchers and practitioners through a process of systematic reflection and critical analysis.
Abstract: The field of Participatory Design (PD) has greatly diversified and we see a broad spectrum of approaches and methodologies emerging. However, to foster its role in designing future interactive technologies, a discussion about accountability and rigour across this spectrum is needed. Rejecting the traditional, positivistic framework, we take inspiration from related fields such as Design Research and Action Research to develop interpretations of these concepts that are rooted in PD's own belief system. We argue that unlike in other fields, accountability and rigour are nuanced concepts that are delivered through debate, critique and reflection. A key prerequisite for having such debates is the availability of a language that allows designers, researchers and practitioners to construct solid arguments about the appropriateness of their stances, choices and judgements.To this end, we propose a "tool-to-think-with" that provides such a language by guiding designers, researchers and practitioners through a process of systematic reflection and critical analysis. The tool proposes four lenses to critically reflect on the nature of a PD effort: epistemology, values, stakeholders and outcomes. In a subsequent step, the coherence between the revealed features is analysed and shows whether they pull the project in the same direction or work against each other. Regardless of the flavour of PD, we argue that this coherence of features indicates the level of internal rigour of PD work and that the process of reflection and analysis provides the language to argue for it. We envision our tool to be useful at all stages of PD work: in the planning phase, as part of a reflective practice during the work, and as a means to construct knowledge and advance the field after the fact. We ground our theoretical discussions in a specific PD experience, the ECHOES project, to motivate the tool and to illustrate its workings. Participatory Design (PD) requires nuanced concepts of accountability and rigour.Accountability and rigour are constructed through debate, critique and reflection.Our "tool-to-think-with" guides designers in systematic and critical reflection.We provide four lenses for reflection: epistemology, values, stakeholders, outcomes.The "coherence" between reflective perspectives indicates internal rigour of PD work.
172 citations
Cites background from "Thoughtful Interaction Design: A De..."
...Merkel et al. (2004), in reflecting on three community projects in which they co-designed technology, describe this process as “Seeding ownership”, and it is a pre-requisite for designing for sustainability—which leads us to the final question in this lens: How sustainable are outcomes? Above we argued that sustainable PD requires stakeholders who become advocates, “animators” (Clement and Besselaar, 1993) and owners (Merkel et al....
[...]
References
More filters
TL;DR: An anatomy of prototypes is proposed as a framework for prototype conceptualization that views prototypes not only in their role in evaluation but also in their generative role in enabling designers to reflect on their design activities in exploring a design space.
Abstract: The role of prototypes is well established in the field of HCI and Design. A lack of knowledge, however, about the fundamental nature of prototypes still exists. Researchers have attempted to identify different types of prototypes, such as low- vs. high-fidelity prototypes, but these attempts have centered on evaluation rather than support of design exploration. There have also been efforts to provide new ways of thinking about the activity of using prototypes, such as experience prototyping and paper prototyping, but these efforts do not provide a discourse for understanding fundamental characteristics of prototypes. In this article, we propose an anatomy of prototypes as a framework for prototype conceptualization. We view prototypes not only in their role in evaluation but also in their generative role in enabling designers to reflect on their design activities in exploring a design space. We base this framework on the findings of two case studies that reveal two key dimensions: prototypes as filters and prototypes as manifestations. We explain why these two dimensions are important and how this conceptual framework can benefit our field by establishing more solid and systematic knowledge about prototypes and prototyping.
557 citations
16 Aug 2010
TL;DR: A critique of current RtD practices within the HCI research and interaction design communities is performed, showing possible directions for further developments and refinements of the approach.
Abstract: The field of HCI is experiencing a growing interest in Research through Design (RtD), a research approach that employs methods and processes from design practice as a legitimate method of inquiry. We are interested in expanding and formalizing this research approach, and understanding how knowledge, or theory, is generated from this type of design research. We conducted interviews with 12 leading HCI design researchers, asking them about design research, design theory, and RtD specifically. They were easily able to identify different types of design research and design theory from contemporary and historical design research efforts, and believed that RtD might be one of the most important contributions of design researchers to the larger research community. We further examined three historical RtD projects that were repeatedly mentioned in the interviews, and performed a critique of current RtD practices within the HCI research and interaction design communities. While our critique summarizes the problems, it also shows possible directions for further developments and refinements of the approach.
461 citations
29 Apr 2007
TL;DR: It is argued that the notion of computational composites provides a precise understanding of the computer as material, and of how computations need to be combined with other materials to come to expression as material.
Abstract: Computational composite is introduced as a new type of composite material. Arguing that this is not just a metaphorical maneuver, we provide an analysis of computational technology as material in design, which shows how computers share important characteristics with other materials used in design and architecture. We argue that the notion of computational composites provides a precise understanding of the computer as material, and of how computations need to be combined with other materials to come to expression as material. Besides working as an analysis of computers from a designer's point of view, the notion of computational composites may also provide a link for computer science and human-computer interaction to an increasingly rapid development and use of new materials in design and architecture.
219 citations
07 May 2016
TL;DR: It is proposed that the Somaesthetic Appreciation designs share a subtleness in how they encourage and spur bodily inquiry in their choice of interaction modalities, and they rely on articulation of bodily experiences to encourage learning and increased somatic awareness.
Abstract: We propose a strong concept we name Somaesthetic Appreciation based on three different enquiries. First, our own autobiographical design enquiry, using Feldenkrais as a resource in our design process, bringing out the Soma Carpet and Breathing Light applications. Second, through bringing in others to experience our systems, engaging with and qualitatively analysing their experiences of our applications. In our third enquiry, we try to pin down what characterises and sets Somaesthetic Appreciation designs apart through comparing with and analysing others' design inquiries as well as grounding them in the somaesthetic theories. We propose that the Somaesthetic Appreciation designs share a subtleness in how they encourage and spur bodily inquiry in their choice of interaction modalities, they require an intimate correspondence -- feedback and interactions that follow the rhythm of the body, they entail a distinct manner of making space shutting out the outside world -- metaphorically and literally -- to allow users to turn their attention inwards, and they rely on articulation of bodily experiences to encourage learning and increased somatic awareness.
206 citations
01 Feb 2015-International Journal of Human-computer Studies \/ International Journal of Man-machine Studies
TL;DR: A “tool-to-think-with” that provides a language that allows designers, researchers and practitioners to construct solid arguments about the appropriateness of their stances, choices and judgements by guiding designers,Researchers and practitioners through a process of systematic reflection and critical analysis.
Abstract: The field of Participatory Design (PD) has greatly diversified and we see a broad spectrum of approaches and methodologies emerging. However, to foster its role in designing future interactive technologies, a discussion about accountability and rigour across this spectrum is needed. Rejecting the traditional, positivistic framework, we take inspiration from related fields such as Design Research and Action Research to develop interpretations of these concepts that are rooted in PD's own belief system. We argue that unlike in other fields, accountability and rigour are nuanced concepts that are delivered through debate, critique and reflection. A key prerequisite for having such debates is the availability of a language that allows designers, researchers and practitioners to construct solid arguments about the appropriateness of their stances, choices and judgements.To this end, we propose a "tool-to-think-with" that provides such a language by guiding designers, researchers and practitioners through a process of systematic reflection and critical analysis. The tool proposes four lenses to critically reflect on the nature of a PD effort: epistemology, values, stakeholders and outcomes. In a subsequent step, the coherence between the revealed features is analysed and shows whether they pull the project in the same direction or work against each other. Regardless of the flavour of PD, we argue that this coherence of features indicates the level of internal rigour of PD work and that the process of reflection and analysis provides the language to argue for it. We envision our tool to be useful at all stages of PD work: in the planning phase, as part of a reflective practice during the work, and as a means to construct knowledge and advance the field after the fact. We ground our theoretical discussions in a specific PD experience, the ECHOES project, to motivate the tool and to illustrate its workings. Participatory Design (PD) requires nuanced concepts of accountability and rigour.Accountability and rigour are constructed through debate, critique and reflection.Our "tool-to-think-with" guides designers in systematic and critical reflection.We provide four lenses for reflection: epistemology, values, stakeholders, outcomes.The "coherence" between reflective perspectives indicates internal rigour of PD work.
172 citations