Abstract
This conversation paper draws upon the professional expertise of three designers of educational online studios. By reflecting on the design, development, and use of two online design studios, Incom and ODS, over the past two decades, the research explores the ‘fuzzy edges’ of studio environments. Studio carries rich peripheral information and ambient awareness, enabling studio users to ‘read the room’. This inherently fuzzy yet crucial process facilitates the formation of impressions that guide and sustain social engagement. While a precise definition of this fuzziness remains elusive, key characteristics can be identified: experiential, visible, performative, incomplete, negotiated, and opportunistic, which are discussed in this paper. Understanding these aspects of the ‘fuzzy edges’ holds significant potential for informing the design of future educational online studios.
DOI
https://doi.org/10.21606/drslxd.2025.113
Citation
Lotz, N., Jones, D.,and Deiml-Seibt, T.(2025) The fuzzy edges of online design studios, in Clemente, V., Gomes, G., Reis, M., Félix, S., Ala, S., Jones, D. (eds.), Learn X Design 2025, 22-24 September 2025, Aveiro, Portugal. https://doi.org/10.21606/drslxd.2025.113
Creative Commons License
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Conference Track
Conversation
The fuzzy edges of online design studios
This conversation paper draws upon the professional expertise of three designers of educational online studios. By reflecting on the design, development, and use of two online design studios, Incom and ODS, over the past two decades, the research explores the ‘fuzzy edges’ of studio environments. Studio carries rich peripheral information and ambient awareness, enabling studio users to ‘read the room’. This inherently fuzzy yet crucial process facilitates the formation of impressions that guide and sustain social engagement. While a precise definition of this fuzziness remains elusive, key characteristics can be identified: experiential, visible, performative, incomplete, negotiated, and opportunistic, which are discussed in this paper. Understanding these aspects of the ‘fuzzy edges’ holds significant potential for informing the design of future educational online studios.