Tool for Analyzing Technological Everyday Objects
Caerts Stan1, De Raedemaecker Enya1, Jonckheer Maarten1, Scheerder Silke1
1Student at Faculty of product development, University of Antwerp, Belgium
2Researcher at the research group of Product Development, University of Antwerp, Belgium
Abstract
This paper introduces the Tool for Analyzing Technological Everyday Objects, or TATEO for short, a participatory design tool grounded in postphenomenological theory created to delve into the complex interplay between technology and daily life. Tested within the social context of student dormitories, a two-week experiment centered around the absence of a microwave was carried out, offering insights into the mediating role of technology. Descriptions from pre- and post-experiment surveys, Likert-scale responses, and in-depth interviews gave insights into the human-technology relationship. Analyzing behaviors, habits, and the role of technology within the program, TATEO was tested to determine whether it could help to understand how technology shapes the everyday lives of its users. Findings challenge the deterministic view, emphasizing the need for a socio-culturally informed approach to design and ensuring that within the field of technology, the holistic impact on users' lives is considered.
Introduction
Postphenomenology is a field of study introduced by the North American philosopher Don Ihde. It explores the interrelationship between technology and its users. The name 'post-phenomenological' makes it clear that it is derived from and related to phenomenological philosophy. It is inspired by phenomenology, emphasizing experience and concreteness. However, it deliberately diverges from the romanticized perspective on technology. It is considered an empirical approach to analyzing real-world technologies (Rosenberger, 2015).
While researching this philosophical perspective on technology, the question of whether or not a focused orientation towards output may aid the examination of the mediating role of technology was raised. The paper "Object Theatre in Design Education" by Buur & Friis (2015), for example, illustrates a tool that is not predictable in terms of output. This provides the freedom to generate new insights but does not provide a means to compare the results of future reenactment for different technological objects. A tool enabling the comparison between the mediating roles of everyday technologies guides us to the following research question: How does applying postphenomenological theory allow us to proactively address the mediating role of technology in everyday objects? The approach involves outlining broad topics in the research questions, providing a baseline for comparing the output of different studies. This categorization, based on these topics, facilitates a straightforward and
meaningful comparison between different technology studies within the field of postphenomenology.
The primary goal of developing this new tool is to comprehend the overall impact of a specific technological object that assumes a mediating role in our lives, as a starting point for future designs. With the three analytical characteristics introduced by Jensen & Aagaard (2018) (comportments, habits, and role within the program), the interactive nature of technology can be approached and analyzed from the user's perspective. This means that the already existing interactions with a specific technological product can be examined to expose the current influence of the technological object. It comes down to observing these interactions in the day-to-day lives of users. The respondent’s normal behavior is documented over a pre-determined period of time. After this initial phase of understanding the basic relationship between the consumer and the product, the technological product is removed. The altered behavior of the respondents is then scrutinized through the following aspects: social differences, financial impact, involved emotions, and changes in the time required to perform the same task. This structure of analyzing the postphenomenological relation streamlines the output by using a predetermined set of topics through which the data is gathered and analyzed. There is a negative impact regarding the variety of output, and the results may become more predictable. The tool focuses on explaining the feasible influences of technological objects and experiences to the extent that they can be compared to one another, aiming to enable researchers to predict the specific influences a new technology may have on its consumers.
The created Tool for Analyzing Technological Everyday Objects (TATEO) was tested with dorm students and a microwave as the product. Two dorms with a total of nine students agreed to participate in the experiment. The hypothesis regarding the mentioned aspects was: "There is a causal relationship between the use of a microwave by dorm students and their grocery expenses, the amount of social contact, the emotional experiences, and the time spent using the kitchen."
Literaturestudy
Human-Technology relations
In the description of an interaction between humans and technology, often the focus does not extend beyond the convenience of use and the use itself. Technological products are translated in terms of function and practical use, but intricate interactions between humans and technology are often not encapsulated by mere usage. Smart mirrors engaging in facial recognition in fitting rooms to discern customer preferences are not utilized by the respective consumers. It happens to the customer, admittedly. The interaction between humans and technology is thus better characterized as immersion and fusion rather than mere usage (Verbeek, 2015). The concept of immersion implies that technology is no longer an isolated entity but rather an integral part of our lived experience. The 21st century brought revolutionary innovation with the advent of the smartphone, the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, etc. All of these products have inextricably woven themselves into our daily lives, whether visible or invisible. The smartphone is an obvious example of visible technology that we take with us everywhere. As a result, we are always connected, reachable from anywhere, and have unlimited access to information. IOT devices have integrated more seamlessly into the very fabric of our homes, creating interconnected environments that respond to our needs and preferences. Technology continues to evolve at a rapid pace, not only
resulting in a persistent presence everywhere, but it is also increasingly important in shaping our identity and behavior in today’s world.
According to Don Ihde's postphenomenological approach, technology serves as a medium for shaping our connection to the world. Technology plays a mediating role in the perception, action, experience, and behavior of people. Postphenomenology emphasizes embodiment rather than consciousness, as in traditional philosophy (Husserlian phenomenology). It highlights the role of the habits we have every day as an influence on how we perform our actions and our behavior (Jensen & Aagaard, 2018). Technologies shape our perceptions by enhancing certain aspects and diminishing others. Moreover, they translate our actions by enabling some and hindering others.
The relationship between humans and technology can be classified into three categories: extension, dialectic, and hybridity (Verbeek, 2015). It is the latter that prevents the idea of technology being an extension or opposition to humanity. It is the hybrid relationship between humans and technology that mutually shapes each other. Humans create technology, but it is the interaction with technology that influences human behavior and perceptions. Designers create technological products that are not only functional, interactive, and visually appealing; they also create human habits and experiences. Products thus serve as mediators in our daily lives.
Taking on Verbeek's mediation theory (2015), the mediating role of technology in the human lifeworld can be characterized through various perspectives. This theory describes how technology can be read, embodied, co-interacted with, or simply backgrounded. It is these various modes of technological expression that resonate with physical interaction, cognitive interpretation, contextual infrastructure, and our ways of thinking. Technology is persistently present in our daily lives, but not always in a prominent manner. Its influence can also subtly and invisibly impact our behavior, such as when the placement of a coffee machine fosters more social interaction among individuals.
Awareness of the various ways in which technology can influence humans provides a framework to better understand and analyze the different types of impacts. This perspective offers a new angle to investigate the impact of technology when temporarily removed from life. What differences are noticed when a technological artifact is temporarily inaccessible? This idea partly forms the research framework for this paper. It is a variational cross-examination inspired by the experiment conducted by Jensen & Aagaard (2018). However, it is a variation of the method where two technological objects are directly compared and differences are identified. Instead, it involves testing two situations regarding permission to use the technological object.
To contrast differences, three analytical characteristics are emphasized, following the approach of Jensen & Aagaard (2018). Behavior and Habits describe the usual actions and habits of the user associated with each stability of the product. Role within a program refers to the role a technological artifact plays within a specific context and environment. Concrete tailoring is closely related to the materiality of the technological object and how adjustments in material can influence its use and interaction.
Building on the insights provided by Jensen & Aagaard's (2018) experiment, the analysis of technological artifacts within human-technological relationships is further enriched by considering the concept of multistability. It implies that objects can also be used for other purposes or in different contexts. It highlights that things can be used for purposes other than those for which they were designed. It demonstrates how technology adapts to various situations
and needs. Understanding the complicated interaction between people and technology is made easier by the insights provided by multistability, which sheds light on user viewpoints, contextual adjustments, and unanticipated patterns of use (Jensen & Aagaard, 2018).
Participatory design
Participatory design traces its origins back to the 1980s, as documented by Greenbaum & Kyng, (1991) and other sources. It is a discipline that involves non-designers, including potential users, in the design process. Originally, designers would commence crafting only after identifying a design opportunity. Recent trends, however, indicate that crafting activities are introduced early in the process. Both designers and co-designers are engaged throughout all stages of the process. It is only in later stages that crafting activities take the form of prototypes. These handmade objects then serve to test usage and concepts for further development (Sanders & Stappers, 2014).
Within the realm of participatory design, three dimensions can be distinguished: Form, Purpose (why), and Context (where and how). Form describes the type of action occurring among participants in an activity. This category is organized according to making, telling, and enacting (Sanders et al., 2010). Making and telling are actively applied in this experiment. The element of enacting is not included. The enacting component encompasses the use of props (objects in theater that acquire new meaning as actors use them in a specific way to simulate realistic actions (Ryöppy et al., 2017)), improvisation, and play-acting. Such techniques align more closely with performative approaches and methods, where research is conducted, often in collaboration with dancers and actors, as seen in works by Buur & Friis (2015) and Ross & Wensveen (2010)
One component of the aim of this experiment was to actively engage users. It is within this group that the interaction with the technological object takes place, and therein lies the source of knowledge about how technology influences people in their daily lives. Giving users the ability to clearly express their findings and experiences generates a valuable feedback loop. By initially gaining insights through the designed tool, designers can later collaborate with the same test users. This provides an opportunity to involve users in multiple phases of the design process, including the preliminary research phases that precede the actual design process. This rationale underscores the importance of participatory design, emphasizing the integration of user perspectives throughout the various stages of design.
Context and Lifeworld
For testing the TATEO in this paper, the context in which the tool is placed becomes a crucial element. The individual is never isolated but is always interconnected with the environment in which they live. The lifeworld, as described by van Dijk (2018) and other sources, encompasses more than just the physical space; it interprets everything in terms that are meaningful for a particular way of life for the individual. This concept of the lifeworld implies that the environment is organized to structure daily activities. It is a familiar world that co-shapes an individual's daily life, encompassing daily patterns involving the use of objects and materials as well as spaces for social interactions. The lifeworld is not something that needs cognitive processing as it is familiar to the individual (van Dijk, 2018) The space is neither purely physical nor purely social, but the lifeworld in its entirety imparts meaning to specific activities. To investigate the influence of technology on everyday objects, it is essential to consider the context, specifically the entire setting in which the individual and object exist.
Method
Figure 1. Tool overview
TATEO introduces three steps to gather valuable insights on the mediating role of technology: Preparations, Experiment, and Analysis. In the first phase, Preparations, the technological object, context, and target audience are clearly defined.
This participatory design tool was tested with dorm students and a microwave as the mediating product. Two dorms with a total of nine students agreed to participate in the experiment. With this approach, we attempted to determine the impacts of removing a microwave on social interactions, time management, and dietary behaviors within a dormitory environment. Once all the preparations were completed, the experiment could take off.
The experiment was to span two weeks. In the initial week, participants were encouraged to follow their regular routines, including the use of the microwave.
Participants were also instructed to capture three photographs for each meal: one at the initiation of meal preparation, showcasing the ingredients. Another upon the completion of the dish, offering insight into their dietary choices. A third, highlighting the materials and utensils used during cooking. These visual recordings were transferred within a designated WhatsApp group provided by the research team, creating a gateway to keep up-to-date with the information surrounding their behavior.
At the end of the first week, a survey was conducted. This survey strategically looked into participants' social profiles, showcasing their shared living dynamics, particular dining habits, kitchen engagement, and overall interactions with roommates.
Likert-scale questions were used to quantify specific aspects of their living and dining habits. The Likert scale ranged from 1 to 5. Both, respectively, were extremes of the desired information.
1. Shared Eating Habits:
- "I always eat on my own" (Likert scale: 1)
- "I always eat together with my roommates" (Likert scale: 5)
2. Meal Preparation Preferences:
- "I always cook meals myself" (Likert scale: 1)
- "I always order my meals/warm up pre-prepared meals" (Likert scale: 5)
3. Involvement in the Kitchen Household:
- “I never do anything in the kitchen household” (Likert scale: 1)
- "I do a lot in the kitchen household (like preparing dinner, getting groceries, doing dishes, etc.)" (Likert scale: 5)
4. Social Engagement:
- "I don’t often see my roommates" (Likert scale: 1)
- "I do a lot of things in my free time with my roommates" (Likert scale: 5)
5. Describe, in short, your life at the dorm with your roommates.
This survey was only put out at the end of the first week to not influence the participants during their first week, as they should not be reflecting on the experiment yet.
The end of the first week also marked the removal of the microwave from the dormitory environment. This disruption served as a catalyst for exploring how this appliance's absence may influence the participants' daily lives, both individually and collectively.
The second week introduced a "Moodboard Tool.” They received a wooden "moodboard" and a Polaroid camera at the experiment's onset. The Polaroid camera became an important product for capturing moments during the week where participants experienced noticeable differences due to the absence of their microwave. These specially captured Polaroid images were to be put on
the wooden board, accompanied by written reflections further substantiating the observed changes.
Throughout the two-week duration of the study, participants were provided with calendars and daily textual reminders. This measure was implemented with the dual purpose of maintaining participant engagement and reducing the risk of losing oversight in documenting their behaviors. The calendars served as visual aids being hung up in their kitchen, while the daily textual reminders were sent to reinforce the importance of consistent and timely documentation.
Individual interviews were conducted with each participant to end the experiment. These interviews served as a comprehensive exploration of the participants' reflections on the moodboard, daily meal photographs, and the overarching changes in social interactions, time management, shopping behavior, and emotional experiences.
Using the images documented in the WhatsApp group, a timeline was constructed. This timeline served as a reminder of the participant's journey over the course of the two weeks and as a visual aid to assist in recollecting specific experiences during the interview.
These interview questions were asked to delve into various aspects of participants' experiences, behaviors, and perceptions during the course of the experiment. The open-ended nature of the questions aims to get rich and detailed responses, allowing for a nuanced understanding of the impact of the experimental conditions on participants' lives.
- "Which differences did you experience between weeks 1 and 2?"
- "Has there been a change in your shopping behavior?"
- "Did you spend more or less money on food in general during week 2?"
- "Has your diet changed during week 2?"
- "Were there differences in meeting roommates while occupying the kitchen?"
- "Did you plan the time to cook differently in week 2 compared to week 1?"
- "Did this specific period of the year have an influence on your shopping and meal-preparing behavior?"
- "Which emotions did you experience during week 2? What were the perceived advantages and disadvantages?"
After conducting the interviews and gathering the participant's pictures and background surveys, the results can now be analyzed to capture the most valuable insights.
Results/data
From the survey at the end of week one, rich descriptions of the participants’ lives in the dormitory emerged, emphasizing the positive atmosphere and their relationships. In total, eight responses were obtained from the nine participants, all of whom were female. This provided a valuable introduction to the participants while simultaneously gathering input that could be compared to the rest of the information to be collected later in the experiment. Likert scale responses were collected to gauge participants' habits and preferences regarding communal living. The results were all very similar, yielding the following averages:
The combination of the data and their individual quotes indicated a harmonious and socially active dormitory environment in both dorms. Participants not only engaged in shared activities but also expressed a sense of satisfaction and friendship. The results of the Likert scale also aligned with the individual quotes they gave us, highlighting a preference for communal eating and active participation in household chores.
During the two weeks of the experiment, we had them take three pictures of every meal as discussed. This went relatively well; the combination of daily reminders and the calendar kept the participants conscious of their assignment. In the end, we acquired a total of pictures, with only a few of the participants not always contributing (see Annex 1).
Polaroids were used to capture moments of change. Almost all participants eventually used this to document their experience; we acquired a total of 10 Polaroid pictures. Though there were some participants that came forward, they did not use the Polaroid out of protest because they were annoyed by the absence of their microwave. Unfortunately, moodboards were not used by any of the participants. This was probably due to the threshold being set too high in an already inconvenient experiment.
Analysis of the interviews
At the end of the experiment, thorough interviews were conducted. Various existing tools could be used to analyze the results of the interviews. As an illustration, NVivo proved valuable for analyzing large sets of interviews. Since
this experiment had only nine participants, conclusions could be drawn directly from the interviews.
Reading through the interviews, there were a lot of commonalities between the different participants, but also many differences.
Across all interviews, the microwave's absence was universally acknowledged as a significant disruption to daily life. The participants expressed inconvenience, particularly when reheating leftovers, leading to increased effort and time consumption. Adapting to alternative cooking methods was a challenge for some.
Frustration recurred as the main emotion during the second week. The participants emphasized the impact of the microwave on their routines and convenience. Despite concerns in the beginning, there was a common theme of adaptability. Most participants found ways to manage the inconvenience and navigated the challenges posed by the experiment, also due to being able to rely on their roommates.
While there were individual variations, changes in spending patterns were noted across interviews during the second week. Some interviewees spent more, choosing alternative meals like pizza. While others spent less, choosing affordable fresh vegetables over microwave meals. Some did not see a difference at all.
While some participants reported significant dietary changes, such as incorporating more raw vegetables. Others experienced minimal shifts, maintaining a similar diet with smaller portions. Individual habits and preferences played a role in shaping how participants adjusted their eating habits.
The time spent planning cooking varied among participants. Some emphasized increased planning time and consideration of meal preparation. Others reported minimal shifts. This discrepancy reflected individual strategies for coping with the challenges posed by the microwave's absence.
Roommate interactions in the kitchen had different dynamics. While in one dorm, they experienced tension due to the simultaneous use of stovetops. In the other dorm, they maintained a strong bond, coordinating meals during busy periods.
The collective interviews showcase the role of the microwave in daily life. Individual responses varied, showcasing diverse adaptation strategies. To structure the most valuable insights, the positive and negative effects of the elimination of the technological product (microwave) can be linked to the four aspects that we examined, namely: Social aspect; Emotional aspect; Financial aspect; Time management.
Positive effects of elimination Negative effects of elimination
Social · Rely on roommates -> preparetogether
Emotional
· Maintaining a strongbond
· Adaptability
· Manage the inconvenience
· Disruptiontodailylife
· Rely on roommates -> use the same cooking materials
· Increasedeffort
· Frustrations
· Dietarychanges
· Tension is due to the simultaneous use of stovetops.
Financial
Time managemen t
· Spending less money(depending ontheindividual)
Analytical characteristics
· Spending more money (depending on the individual)
· Timeconsuming
· Morecleaningwork
· Morepreparations
Additionally, the three analytical characteristics introduced by Jensen & Aagaard (2018), can be used to contrast the differences.
Comportment and Habits
Comportment is observed through the day-to-day interactions of participants with a specific technological product. In this case, the microwave. The altered behavior of respondents after the removal of the technological product is scrutinized in terms of social differences, financial impact, emotions, and changes in the time required to perform the same task. Their behavior is an essential aspect of understanding the impact of technology on their lives. Habits are implicitly addressed through the examination of their normal behavior, reactions to changes, and the impact on routines associated with the use of the technological product. The expected reactions to the removal of the microwave, such as irritation and discomfort, indicate the disruption of established habits associated with the use of the technology. The analysis of financial impact, emotional experiences, and changes in time management due to the absence of the microwave reveals how habits related to cooking, eating, and time utilization are affected. The consideration of the tool's effectiveness over time and the importance of observing how people grow accustomed to a life without the object emphasizes the role of habits in shaping behaviors in the absence of technology.
Role within a program
If the context in which a technical product operates has the potential to influence the interaction between the product and the user or the functionality of the artifact, it may be beneficial to conduct experiments in various contexts. This approach allows for a comprehensive understanding of the technological artifact's role within specific environments, facilitating a more nuanced analysis of the results.
In the microwave experiment, only one context was specified: a student's dormitory. In this instance, delving into an analysis of the product's role within a program is irrelevant. Unfortunately, due to time constraints and challenges in securing motivated participants, we were unable to incorporate alternative contexts into the experiment. Potential additional contexts could have included the homes of regular families, kitchens in work environments, and more.
Concrete tailoring
Concrete tailoring analysis doesn’t apply to the method used in TATEO. The proposed participatory design tool aims to analyze the influence and mediating role of an existing technological artifact. Since we are not creating a new technological object, we cannot analyze how adjustments in materials influence use and interaction.
In general, we can conclude that the mediating role of the microwave actively facilitates interactions among individuals in the kitchen. It allows people to efficiently utilize the kitchen or serves as a backup option for heating pre-
cooked meals when the kitchen is in use. Henceforth, we can consider the microwave as a peacekeeper in the daily household of a student dorm.
Discussion
Goal of the participatory design tool
This paper proposes a participatory design tool grounded in postphenomenological theory to investigate the mediating role of technology.
The design tool serves as a framework for gaining insights into the influence of technical products on daily life and routines. This approach reflects upon the social, financial, and emotional effects resulting from the removal of a technical product. Also, time management is taken into consideration in order to analyze the influence of the product on the participants' daily routines.
The tool was initially created for utilization in the early stages of product development, facilitating the collection of insights on existing products and their impact on our lives. The analytical conclusions derived from this participatory design tool should be considered in the development of new products within that category.
Comprising two integral parts, the participatory design tool initially captures the context of the technological product to understand the daily life associated with its use. Subsequently, during the second part of the tool, the technological product is deliberately removed.
Given that the experiment utilizing this participatory design tool spans several weeks, clear communication with the participants is imperative. A succinct explanation of the experiment structure, emphasizing its duration, daily tasks, and the removal of the technological product at the end of the first week, is crucial. The initial week is designated for observation, allowing for the capture of participants' habits and routines in their daily lives where the technological product is present. To comprehend their daily routines, participants are requested to take photos related to the usage of the technological product. For instance, in an analysis focusing on the mediating role of the microwave, participants were tasked with photographing each meal and the materials used for meal preparation. This daily task was subtle, indirectly referencing the technological product. In summary, during this first week (the first part), participants documented photos of their daily routine with the technological product, and these photos were shared through an online platform with the moderators. To ensure participants consistently captured photos, daily reminders were dispatched.
Given our focus on the analysis of behavior related to a technological product, it is imperative to gain an understanding of the social context in which participants are situated. This comprehension of the social context is essential for a more nuanced insight into their everyday lives, where the technological product plays a role. In order to derive valid conclusions from the participatory design tool, due consideration must be given to the participants' social context. To attain this understanding, small interviews or surveys can be conducted. The questions posed in these interviews or surveys should not directly pertain to the technological product but should instead focus on the social context in which the product is utilized. It is crucial that these interviews or surveys take place before the removal of the technological product. The subsequent phase of the design tool involves the removal of the technological product, rendering it unusable for participants in the experiment. While the daily tasks from part 1 persist, an additional task is introduced. Participants are provided with a Polaroid camera to capture moments of
change and discrepancy. The resultant photos serve as a means for participants to reflect on the alterations and their impact on their lives from social, emotional, and financial perspectives.
Upon concluding the experiment, in-depth interviews will be conducted individually with each participant. The moodboard reflection, timeline with photos, and social context information play a supportive role during these interviews. These features facilitate a detailed exploration of specific aspects, contributing to the drawing of conclusions and garnering valuable insights.
Highlighting User Involvement Benefits
The involvement of respondents in studying postphenomenology is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, we are seeking to understand the interplay between people and technology. Respondents become active contributors to this exploration, offering valuable insights into their lived experiences with technology. Their involvement ensures that the research remains grounded in the practicalities of everyday life and is nuanced, providing a richer understanding of how postphenomenological theory manifests in our world. Secondly, the generative lens in postphenomenology places an emphasis on exploring technology beyond its functional aspects. It delves into the subjective perceptions of technological interactions. By actively involving respondents, access to the diverse interpretations that individuals bring through their engagements with technology is gained. This is true even if different topics regarding output are outlined. This depth of quantitative data is essential to understanding the layers embedded in the mediating role of technology within the product development process. Furthermore, proactively addressing the mediating role of technology requires a nuanced understanding of how individuals integrate technology into their lives. Participants offer a context-specific view of the day-to-day use of the researched technological object. Their input allows the identification of not only the intended effects of technology but also the unintended consequences, revealing a more complete picture of the impact of technology. In essence, the involvement of respondents in the research process is a methodological necessity to ensure the applicability of findings.
Meeting Expectations
As said in the introduction, outlining the output through topics makes the outcome more predictable. This means that, globally, the findings of the experiment resembled expectations. In advance, it was easy to assume that taking away the microwave in the experiment would stir up irritation and discomfort. The microwave is easy to use and partially makes the cooking process automated, which is especially useful in a shared kitchen in a dorm. These findings are rather superficial and unproductive. However, how people reacted to these irritations and their motivations to be irritated made the experiment engaging.
From a social context, it became clear that the microwave assumes a proactive role in mediating interactions between participants using the kitchen. Enabling people to make quick use of the kitchen or ensuring a backup option for heating a ready-cooked meal when the kitchen is occupied. This role of “peacekeeper” was unforeseen.
For the financial impact, there was thought to be a difference where they would spend less on food when there is no microwave due to the price of ready-cooked meals in the supermarket. For the respondents who usually ate microwave meals, this was in fact the case, although the difference was small.
As for the irritation and frustration involved due to the change in time management, a loss of options and no possibility of being a lazy cook were
foreseen. This is true for changes in the time required to perform the same task as well.
Research Question Response
Formulating a possible answer to the research question: “How does applying postphenomenological theory allow us to proactively address the mediating role of technology in everyday objects?” through the construction of a tool that enables the observation of a consumer in his or her day-to-day usage of a product with limited interference in their flow of use. Allowing us to answer this question in several ways:
By understanding technological mediation, postphenomenology emphasizes the idea that technology is not just a tool but also a mediator that shapes our interactions with the world. By letting respondents reflect on this in the context of their daily lives, a better understanding of how these objects generally influence perceptions can be formulated.
Postphenomenology encourages the questioning of assumptions and the implications of technologies. When applied to everyday objects, this approach helps reveal the often-unnoticed ways in which technology shapes our behaviors that extend beyond the use of the product itself. This lens allows the examination of how everyday objects become an integral part of our lives, affecting one’s identity and social interactions.
Understanding the mediating role of technology in everyday objects can inform design processes. It encourages designers to consider possible alterations in human behavior from a broader socio-cultural point of view, leading to more thoughtful designs that try to anticipate their full impact.
In conclusion, postphenomenology as a generative lens that proactively addresses the mediating role of technology challenges the scarecrow called ‘technological determinism’. By researching the full effect of technological objects, a deterministic view can be avoided and how humans shape technology without letting technology shape our society.
Enhancing Experiment Optimization
The tool was tested in a rather short timeframe, which means that there was no opportunity for the participants to learn how to cope without a microwave. When researching an object, it is important to see how people grow accustomed to a life without it. Only in this way can the full impact of the object be registered through changes in behavior. In short, the most important variable for this tool is time. The more time participants may be observed without the object, the more conclusions will be drawn.
When people take a series of pictures of their product-related activities, a clear reminder must be installed for them not to forget. The way it was done in our experiment seemed insufficient in some cases. The effective function of the mood board seemed lost to most respondents. A set of clear instructions needs to be provided with the board.
Conclusion
The purpose of this paper is to propose an initial version of a participatory design tool that uses postphenomenological theory to understand and anticipate the influence of technology on our behavior. The tool, called TATEO, is designed to gather valuable insights in the first analytical phases of the product development process. TATEO aims to gain profound awareness of the mediating role of technological products in various aspects, including social, financial, emotional, and time management dimensions, through the intentional removal of an everyday object and experimental observation.
TATEO initiates three consecutive phases: preparations, experiment, and analysis. During the preparation phase, decisions about the technological object, context, and target group are made. These three aspects are clearly defined before starting the experiment. Questions for the background survey and the end interview are also set in advance. All these preparations must be completed before conducting the experiment. The experiment phase consists of two integral parts. In the first part, the target group and the interaction with the technological object in a specific context are observed. Clear communication and observation during the initial phase are crucial, utilizing daily tasks and photo documentation to capture participants' habits and routines. The tool's second part involves the removal of the technological artifact, introducing additional tasks, such as capturing moments of change with a Polaroid camera, to enable participants to reflect on the broader impact of alterations. All this gathered information, the images, surveys, and interviews, need to be analyzed and structured to determine the most valuable insights concerning the mediating role of technology. This analysis can be done in various ways, using existing tools and methodologies. TATEO suggested examining social, emotional, financial, and time-related aspects. For each aspect, the positive and negative effects of the technological object elimination can be defined based on the interview’s outcome. An alternative approach to structuring the experiment’s results can be by defining the three analytical characteristics introduced by Jensen & Aagaard (2018), namely behavior and habits, role within a program, and concrete tailoring. These analytical lenses provide a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted ways in which technological products mediate interactions and routines. The findings of the participatory design tool align with expectations, showcasing the anticipated irritations resulting from the removal of a commonly used technological artifact, such as the microwave. However, the unexpected roles, such as the microwave acting as a "peacekeeper" in shared kitchens, underscore the importance of examining social contexts in mediating interactions.
In conclusion, the proposed participatory design tool, grounded in postphenomenological theory, serves as a valuable framework for exploring the mediating role of technology. The constructed tool offers a powerful means to observe consumers in their day-to-day product usage. The findings contribute not only to a deeper understanding of technological impact but also challenge deterministic views, emphasizing the reciprocal relationship between humans and technology in shaping societal norms and behaviors. The tool encourages questioning assumptions and implications, providing a sociocultural perspective to inform thoughtful designs that anticipate the full impact of technology.
Futurestate
TATEO is in its first version. It is a first draft that requires more research. Currently, the tool's main features, such as the three major phases of
preparation, experimentation, and analysis, have been tested. However, there is still room for improvement within the tool. For example, the optimal length of the experiment can be investigated further. The duration of the second part of the tool, in which the object under investigation is eliminated, can be evaluated further. Possibly taking into account a person's average adaptation period to a change in their environment. This could potentially provide new insights about the tool.
Acknowledgments
We thank all the volunteers who participated in the experiment to test the TAETO. Special thanks to Omar Martínez Gasca, who guided us and provided helpful comments during the process.
References
Buur, J., & Friis, P. (2015). OBJECT THEATRE IN DESIGN EDUCATION (Issue 6).
Greenbaum, J., & Kyng, M. (1991). Design at Work Cooperative Design of Computer Systems
Jensen, M. M., & Aagaard, J. (2018). A postphenomenological method for HCI research. ACM International Conference Proceeding Series, 242–251. https://doi.org/10.1145/3292147.3292170
Rosenberger, R. (2015). Postphenomenological Investigations: Essays on Human-Technology Relations (P.-P. Verbeek, Ed.). Lexington Books.
Ross, & Wensveen. (2010). Designing Behavior in Interaction-Using Aesthetic Experience as a Mechanism for Design
Ryöppy, M., Dk, M., & Knutz, E. (2017). EXPLORING POWER WITH OBJECT THEATRE www.nordes.org
Sanders, Brandt, E., & Binder, T. (2010). A Framework for Organizing the Tools and Techniques of Participatory Design.
Sanders, E. B. N., & Stappers, P. J. (2014). Probes, toolkits and prototypes: Three approaches to making in codesigning. CoDesign, 10(1), 5–14. https://doi.org/10.1080/15710882.2014.888183
van Dijk, J. (2018). Designing for embodied being-in-the-world: A critical analysis of the concept of embodiment in the design of hybrids. Multimodal Technologies and Interaction, 2(1). https://doi.org/10.3390/mti2010007
Verbeek. (2015). Beyond Interaction A short introduction to mediation theory.
AdditionalSources
Hauser, S., Oogjes, D., Wakkary, R., & Verbeek, P. P. (2018). An annotated portfolio on doing postphenomenology through research products. DIS 2018 - Proceedings of the 2018 Designing Interactive Systems Conference, 459–472. https://doi.org/10.1145/3196709.3196745
Iacucci, G., Kuutti, K., & Ranta, M. (2000). On the Move with a Magic Thing: Role Playing in Concept Design of Mobile Services and Devices
Kudina, O. (2022). Speak, memory: the postphenomenological analysis of memory-making in the age of algorithmically powered social networks. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-021-00972-x
Van Dijk, J., Kopke, M., Van Huizen, N., Van Uffelen, L., & Beunk, L. (2019). Empowering Young Adults on the Autistic Spectrum: Reframing Assistive Technology Through Design.
Zhong, C., Wakkary, R., Odom, W., Wiberg, M., Chen, A. Y. S., Oogjes, D., White, J., & Yoo, M. (2023, April 19). Exploring Long-Term Mediated Relations with a Shape-Changing Thing: A Field Study of coMorphing Stool. Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems - Proceedings https://doi.org/10.1145/3544548.3581140
