Abstract
This study set out to investigate whether and how artefacts can be designed to influence the quality of social interaction. In particular, I examined how artefacts can stimulate the user’s behaviour by means of their function, and whether this stimulation can cause mindful reflection and interaction. I developed the concept of the Performative Object (PO) to describe objects with these qualities of interaction. At the core of the study was the concern with identifying the PO as a separate category of definable design objects. The paper presents part of a larger study. It presents a summary of the analysis of the problem, of the outcomes of the concept development and of the testing through comparative analysis. It also reflects on the consequences and usefulness of the proposed concept.
Citation
Niedderer, K. (2004) Designing the Performative Object: A Study in Designing Mindful Interaction Through Artefacts., in Redmond, J., Durling, D. and de Bono, A (eds.), Futureground - DRS International Conference 2004, 17-21 November, Melbourne, Australia. https://dl.designresearchsociety.org/drs-conference-papers/drs2004/researchpapers/182
Designing the Performative Object: A Study in Designing Mindful Interaction Through Artefacts.
This study set out to investigate whether and how artefacts can be designed to influence the quality of social interaction. In particular, I examined how artefacts can stimulate the user’s behaviour by means of their function, and whether this stimulation can cause mindful reflection and interaction. I developed the concept of the Performative Object (PO) to describe objects with these qualities of interaction. At the core of the study was the concern with identifying the PO as a separate category of definable design objects. The paper presents part of a larger study. It presents a summary of the analysis of the problem, of the outcomes of the concept development and of the testing through comparative analysis. It also reflects on the consequences and usefulness of the proposed concept.