Anna Elisabeth Pohlmeyer

Design for intuitive use: beyond usability

After a short introduction to our concept of intuitive use of user interfaces we would like to invite the interdisci-plinary CHI community to discuss at least two impor-tant issues, namely: How does intuitive use and aes-thetics relate? And, does physicality enable intuitive use? In the following, we present some provoking the-ses to trigger the discussion of these questions.

The association between heart rate reactivity and driving performance under dual task demands in late middle age drivers

Physiological indices of arousal generally increase when heightened demands are placed on an individuals cognitive resources. As a consequence, measures such as heart rate are frequently used as one method of assessing changes in workload. In a simulation study with young adult (19-23 yrs.) and late middle age (51-66 yrs.) drivers, heart rate responses were compared during a variety of dual task conditions along with driving and task performance data. During two of the tasks in which younger participants showed significant heart rate acceleration, older drivers, as a group, showed little or no change in heart rate. In this paper we present data on a more detailed analysis of the relationship between heart rate change and performance during one of the dual load conditions, a continuous performance task (CPT). The sample was subdivided into individuals who showed a substantive heart rate acceleration response during the task vs. those who showed little change or heart rate deceleration. Of the 18 younger and 15 older adults in the analysis, 56% of the younger and 27% of the older individuals fell into the heart rate acceleration category. Heart rate response did not correlate with performance on the CPT in the younger subjects. In the older subjects, however, the heart rate acceleration group scored significantly higher on the CPT than those who did not exhibit a pattern of heart rate acceleration. In addition to lower performance on the CPT task, older adults in the non-acceleration group showed a significant drop in driving speed, which is generally interpreted as a compensatory response employed to manage total workload. Overall, the late middle aged drivers who showed a heart rate accelerative response during the CPT task performed better on both the primary and secondary tasks than those that did not. The increase in heart rate in the late middle age drivers in this instance could serve as marker for a variety of important performance mediating variables including relative engagement in the task, availability of resources to invest in the dual tasks, attentional style, or overall flexibility of response. The results suggest the potential value of looking at differences in individual patterns of response in driving behavior studies in addition to overall group behavior. The presence of subtypes of heart rate responders, and the observed performance differences between subtypes in this paradigm, illustrate the importance of these considerations. Other heart rate patterning data from the literature is considered and suggestions for future investigation offered.

Enjoying joy: a process-based approach to design for prolonged pleasure

User experience research has reached a good understanding of the importance of hedonic attributes and how to evoke emotions through design. Yet, there is only little knowledge on how to sustain and optimize positive emotions derived from a positive experience. This article introduces a novel approach to design for pleasure: by embracing savoring as a design principle, affective benefits of positive experiences can be prolonged and enhanced. Three corresponding design examples will illustrate this approach.

The Value of Answers without Question[s]: A Qualitative Approach to User Experience and Aging

This project investigates reasons for use and non-use of interactive products by two age groups. It was motivated by the assumption that older adults, when given the chance, report more than just usability-related aspects of interactive products. In laboratory settings, older adults are oftentimes confronted with unfamiliar technology. In this case, instrumental qualities are of primary concern. However, the picture might be different, when it is up to the participant to choose the device. Twenty younger (20-33 years) and 20 older (65-80 years) adults were provided with a disposable camera and a documentation-booklet for one week in order to photograph and describe positive as well as negative examples of interactive products in their surrounding. After this week of intensive sensitization, participants named five reasons that motivated them to use technology, and five that led to avoidant behaviour. A qualitative content analysis with an inductive development of categories was conducted.

Positive Design: New Challenges, Opportunities, and Responsibilities for Design

In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in the scientific study of happiness and wellbeing. However, so far, there has been only little discussion about the relevance and applicability for design. This paper provides a brief overview of related developments in the field of psychology and user experience, before it introduces and illustrates the emerging field of positive design. Positive design builds on insights from positive psychology to create and improve products and/or services that increase human flourishing.

A Conjoint Analysis of Attributes Affecting the Likelihood of Technology Use

Products are a composition of multiple attributes and should be evaluated in full-profile also in research contexts. Research studies on the use of technological products which only assess the importance of individual attributes do not reflect real-life scenarios of multi-attribute judgments and miss out on information that only becomes apparent in relative terms. In order to study the predictive value and relative importance of six attributes (functionality, cognitive ergonomics, classical ergonomics, quality, aesthetics, and emotional involvement) with respect to the likelihood of use, the method of conjoint analysis was borrowed from consumer research. The study was conducted with 104 participants divided in two groups of low and high self-competence. Group differences were only revealed when attributes were considered jointly, but not in single ratings. An intuitive interface, easy handling, and emotional involvement were greater motivators for the low competence group. Methodological implications are discussed.

The mood street: designing for nuanced positive emotions

This paper addresses how design activities can be supported to evoke nuanced positive emotions through a design case. The topic of nuances of positive emotions and values of differentiating positive emotions in a design process are discussed. The case follows appraisal approach, which implicates that the way people appraise an event determines the type of emotion. Design students created design interventions to specifically elicit one out of ten positive emotions in the context of an airline crew center: anticipation, confidence, energized, inspiration, joy, kindness, pride, relaxation, respect, and sympathy. Three examples are provided to show how the approach has been used to generate design concepts. Reflecting on the design process, nine lessons are outlined, all of which discusses the challenges involved in the approach and how those challenges could be overcome.

How Design Can (Not) Support Human Flourishing

What role does the design of products, services, and the built environment have on people’s psychological well-being? This chapter introduces the emerging field of Positive Design, which studies the mechanisms and manifestations of design that stimulates human flourishing. After a brief account of research on Positive Psychology Interventions, this chapter examines the possibilities and limitations of design for well-being. It is argued that especially the enablement of pleasurable and meaningful experiences and activities in daily life is a promising approach. Four Positive Design examples related to taking notice and savouring are provided in order to illustrate new forms of Positive Psychology Interventions. These examples range from designs whose explicit core function is the promotion of well-being to common, everyday products that foster determinants of well-being as an additional effect. A number of challenges that Positive Psychology Interventions in practice currently face and the potential benefits of Positive Design are considered. In particular, this chapter discusses the strengths of Positive Design in terms of reach, adherence, and person-context-activity-fit.