Bo Westerlund

Technology probes: inspiring design for and with families

We describe a new method for use in the process of co-designing technologies with users called technology probes. Technology probes are simple, flexible, adaptable technologies with three interdisciplinary goals: the social science goal of understanding the needs and desires of users in a real-world setting, the engineering goal of field-testing the technology, and the design goal of inspiring users and researchers to think about new technologies. We present the results of designing and deploying two technology probes, the messageProbe and the videoProbe, with diverse families in France, Sweden, and the U.S. We conclude with our plans for creating new technologies for and with families based on our experiences.

Co-designing communication technology with and for families: methods, experience, results and impact

In academia and in industry there have been many projects focusing on technology in domestic spaces and the Smart home (Hindus 2001; Smith 2000). The focus has been on the place, i.e. the home, and the people living there, rather than the people and the places they inhabit. In this chapter we share experience from using cooperative and novel design methods developed within the project interLiving – Designing Interactive, Intergenerational Interfaces for Living Together. The methods were intended to involve families, both as groups and individuals of all ages, as well as the multidisciplinary research group, in co-design of communication devices for families. We highlight methods, results and impact for future research and development. Research presented here aimed to develop novel and appreciated communication artefacts and to improve design methods within participatory design.