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Towards a design methodology against oppression
No full textThis article aims to present a methodology that has been developed in design projects that combat oppression. The proposal emerged from work led by the Brazilian Design and Oppression Network in partnership with social movements and oppressed communities. The methodology has six guiding axes: popular assembly, dialogues, generating themes, unveiling, collective praxis, and systematization of experience. These axes bring together principles and practices stemming from critical pedagogy and militant research which can help designers and researchers with the particularities of conducting projects engaged in struggles against oppression
Creative workspaces and designer metacognition: A framework, measures, and interventions
No full textWell-designed workspaces have the potential to enhance a designer’s creativity if the designer knows how to make effective use of that space. ‘Metacognition’ refers to the monitoring and control of one’s thought process and could provide a theoretical basis for understanding designer-environment interactions. However, there is a lack of theory at the intersection of metacognition and workspaces. Here, we adapt Lebuda and Benedek’s Systematic Framework of Creative Metacognition to the topic of designers and creative spaces. Using this framework and empirical research about creative metacognition, we (i) identify two roles for metacognitive processing in the context of creative spaces, (ii) propose methods for measuring the metacognitive processing, and (iii) identify training and spatial interventions that have the potential to enhance metacognition and creative performance. This provides a launchpad for empirical research about the relationship between designers and their workplaces
Informed adoption of smart products: A user-centered approach to privacy communications and impact on product use
No full textAs the number of smart home products entering the market continues to grow at a rapid rate, consideration of data privacy, product design, and sustained usage becomes increasingly important. In this study, adults 50 years of age and older were interviewed to understand user preferences around data privacy communications and their relationship to the longevity of smart home product usage. Participants were presented with various designs of privacy policies to comparatively describe preferences and perceptions. Findings highlight the necessity of integrating privacy communications into the development process of smart home technologies from the beginning rather than treating it as an afterthought. This study discusses guidelines for creating data privacy communications to help designers and developers create smart home products that not only empower users to live independently in their homes as they age but also foster trust, and contribute to a more comfortable and sustainable technological ecosystem
Webbing Clothes Moths from pest to opportunity: a reflective case study in interdisciplinary design-biology collaborations
No full textAbstract: This manuscript presents the first set of insights from the reflection on a case study which involved early-stage design-biology interactions in a collaboration between two PhD candidates - a designer and a biochemist - investigating the potential of the Webbing Clothes Moth enzymes to support novel approaches for the deconstruction of wool in the context of bio-based processing for the circular economy. From the interview and reflective practice on the collaboration a novel concept emerged, common sedimented ways of knowing, which we define as shared approaches that have been acquired independently through previous experiences during the lifetime of an individual. This concept enabled proximity between the two collaborators, here taking the form of visualisations to support the dialogue on complex discipline-specific content and its delivery to a public audience.This paper demonstrates that a translational dimension can emerge in early stage design-biology collaborations despite the infancy of the PhD candidates research
Generating user personas with AI: Reflecting on its implications for design
No full textThe aim of this research is to analyze and expose risks associated with using AI tools such as Large Language Models and Text to Image Models to create user personas, and initiate a discussion about their application in design practice. First, a model is presented comparing the traditional user research approach with an AI persona generation method. Through a case study involving the creation of personas within the context of Mexico City, a critical analysis is conducted, revealing biases. Possible causes and risks for design practice and education are discussed, as well as potential benefits. Finally, a model for scalability of AI personas and generation of design ideas is presented. The significance of these findings shows the importance for design research to question how AI tools work
Food choices: What is on our plates?
No full textThis study investigates the pivotal role of professional chefs as food designers, emphasizing informed decision-making, community engagement, and strategic partnerships in pursuing regenerative practices within food systems. Through participant observation in southeast Brazilian food service venues, we examine chefs\u27 views and actions regarding the socio-political-environmental ramifications of their choices, including labor practices and ingredient sourcing. Businesses were selected based on their commitment to sustainable or regenerative ideals. Findings underscore the chefs\u27 influence in thoughtfully selecting ingredients, suppliers, and labor, impacting territory health, community well-being, cultural preservation, and economic prosperity. This research contributes with practical insights for building a more equitable and sustainable food system in Brazil based on systemic design principles, global food systems trends, and local experiences
Empathy From Within: User-Enacted Design With Autistic Young Adults
No full textThe ‘double empathy problem’ highlights the challenge of mutual empathy between autistic and non-autistic individuals. In applying this concept to supportive technology design, it has been argued that designers cannot accurately imagine the unique experiences and needs of autistic users. We explain that co-design, suggested to bridge the gap, falls victim to the same criticism. We decided to start from the opposite point of view, which we call ‘user-enacted design’. Instead of creating conventional co-design tools that enable designers to empathise and design with end users, we developed tools with which autistic individuals can design their own supportive interventions. We present five such tools and show how they helped autistic young adults design supportive devices that made sense to them, but of which others may not fully understand the rationale and underlying design decisions. Additionally, we reflect on and reframe the contemporary role of the professional designer in this process
DRS2024: Boston
No full textBoston, a city renowned for its academic traditions and historical significance, is our setting for DRS2024. And Northeastern University’s College of Arts, Media, and Design is our host institution, in partnership with the Harvard University Graduate School of Design and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Morningside Academy for Design. The call for papers for DRS2024 resulted in a huge response, with 1184 abstracts and 869 full paper submissions—over a 47% increase from DRS2022. Of these submissions, 78 were desk rejected and 791 papers underwent rigorous peer review. Based on this review process, we are pleased to include 386 accepted papers in our program, reflecting a 44.4% acceptance rate. This rigorous selection process ensures that we continue to uphold the highest standards of academic excellence in design research.https://dl.designresearchsociety.org/conference-volumes/1060/thumbnail.jp
A case study into the role of bodily expertise in somatic design ideation
No full textResearch in tangible and embodied interaction design highlights the critical role of the human body and its movement. Various studies have explored the importance of bodily awareness (Hummels, 2007) and have further encouraged de-signers to cultivate subjective bodily skills (Schiphorst, 2011) to support and enhance design practices. These bodily considerations have led to methodological approaches, such as body storming (Schleicher, 2010), to a more holistic approach like Soma Design (Höök, 2018), emphasising the importance of bodily understanding. This paper examines the characteristics of experienced bodily movers and their potential contributions to the design ideation process. We also explore how these characteristics can be integrated into design practice. A case study of a design ideation session with four designers and four experienced movers is presented, analysing their contributions and skills
Designing onboarding for wearable payment: Connecting passive tangibles to online service
No full textThis study explores the design challenges of connecting passive NFC wearables such as fobs, rings, and bracelets, to online services such as payment and access. Through field studies, co-design workshops, and auto-ethnographic design work, we investigate how physical action and online media could be coupled, allowing for more considerate onboarding experiences. Our main contribution is four de-sign concepts specific to this domain: using media to link experience to new concepts, supporting physical practice, giving feedback on physical success, and providing interactive function through physical form. In sum, the work highlights media content as a fundamental element in the design of passive tangibles, to support embodied understanding of the manipulations involved