Abstract
In response to increasing calls for more responsible and creative design approaches, this research explores how data physicalization can shed light on the often-overlooked ecological impacts of everyday consumption. Focusing on the disposal of contact lens blisters, a seemingly trivial yet significant waste stream, we developed two tangible interfaces that encourage playful and reflective interactions. Through participant observation and discussion, we found that making disposal habits both visible and interactive enhanced participants' awareness of, and engagement with, routine actions typically deemed insignificant. By emphasizing embodied engagement, playfulness, and metaphorical representations, this exploratory paper contributes to design practices seeking to nurture more participatory and transformative approaches to ecological care, highlighting the potential of data physicalization to drive meaningful behavior change.
Keywords
Data physicalization, Embodied data interaction, Sustainability, Sustainable behavior communication, Engagement, Contact lenses blisters
DOI
https://doi.org/10.21606/nordes.2025.59
Citation
Li, C., Tezuka, D., Zhu, X., Giorgio, S.,and Nohara, K.(2025) Exploring Data Physicalization for Environmental Engagement: A Case Study on the Disposal of Contact Lens Blisters, in Brandt, E., Markussen, T., Berglund, E., Julier, G., Linde, P. (eds.), Nordes 2025: Relational Design, 6-8 August, Oslo, Norway. https://doi.org/10.21606/nordes.2025.59
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License
Conference Track
Exploratory Papers
Included in
Exploring Data Physicalization for Environmental Engagement: A Case Study on the Disposal of Contact Lens Blisters
In response to increasing calls for more responsible and creative design approaches, this research explores how data physicalization can shed light on the often-overlooked ecological impacts of everyday consumption. Focusing on the disposal of contact lens blisters, a seemingly trivial yet significant waste stream, we developed two tangible interfaces that encourage playful and reflective interactions. Through participant observation and discussion, we found that making disposal habits both visible and interactive enhanced participants' awareness of, and engagement with, routine actions typically deemed insignificant. By emphasizing embodied engagement, playfulness, and metaphorical representations, this exploratory paper contributes to design practices seeking to nurture more participatory and transformative approaches to ecological care, highlighting the potential of data physicalization to drive meaningful behavior change.