Virtually living together

ABSTRACT

In this paper, we discuss the possibility of a holistic approach in the design of new media for interpersonal communication. The key argument is that if we base our design on daily practice, this may inhibit truly innovative ideas from taking form, and, on the contrary, if we design using pure intuition and visions, the design is likely to fail due to a lack of connection to daily practice. Scenario-based design was hence used to makes us envision new media while field observations such as ethnographic studies, become a tool to retain the ties with everyday life. This duality can also be implemented, as we will describe, in a design that makes a bi-language/bi-levelled understanding of a product possible.

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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  H. Information Systems
  H.4 INFORMATION SYSTEMS APPLICATIONS

Additional Classification:
  H. Information Systems
  H.1 MODELS AND PRINCIPLES
  H.5 INFORMATION INTERFACES AND PRESENTATION (I.7)
      H.5.2 User Interfaces (D.2.2, H.1.2, I.3.6)
          Subjects: Interaction styles (e.g., commands, menus, forms, direct manipulation)

  K. Computing Milieux
  K.6 MANAGEMENT OF COMPUTING AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS
      K.6.1 Project and People Management
          Subjects: Systems analysis and design

General Terms:
Design, Documentation, Human Factors, Management, Performance, Theory

Keywords:
emotional communication, blue-sky research, industrial design, inter-family communication, interaction design, scenario-based design, telepresence