research-article

Diagramming Working Field Theories for Design in the HCI Classroom

Authors:

Bernd Ploderer,

Jennyfer Lawrence Taylor,

Filip Bircanin,

Margot BreretonAuthors Info & Claims

CHI '21: Proceedings of the 2021 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems

Article No.: 57, Pages 1 - 14

https://doi.org/10.1145/3411764.3445414

Published: 07 May 2021 Publication History

Abstract

HCI has historically provided little support for moving from fieldwork insights or theories to design outcomes. Having witnessed many students struggle and then justify their designs with a form of marketing hype, we developed a supporting approach of “field theories”. A field theory is a working theory about salient interactions in a particular domain and sensitizing concepts in order to frame design investigations. It is presented visually in a field theory diagram to support succinct communication and critique. Studying use of design prototypes that have been informed by a field theory helps to reflect upon and refine the theory. In this paper we present examples from our HCI classes and reflections based on interviews with students. We discuss how field theories offer an orientation in the spirit of a ‘bricoleur’ who harnesses elements of theory and practice to produce deeper understandings and more fitting outcomes for the task at hand.

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Cited By

Zimmerman JSteinfeld ATomasic AJ. Romero O(2022)Recentering Reframing as an RtD ContributionProceedings of the 2022 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems10.1145/3491102.3517789(1-14)Online publication date: 29-Apr-2022
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3491102.3517789
Om CBrereton MDema TPloderer B(2021)Design Opportunities to Enhance Children's Engagement with Nature in Bhutan: A Working Field TheoryProceedings of the 33rd Australian Conference on Human-Computer Interaction10.1145/3520495.3520516(51-61)Online publication date: 30-Nov-2021
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3520495.3520516

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cover image ACM Conferences

CHI '21: Proceedings of the 2021 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems

May 2021

10862 pages

ISBN:9781450380966

DOI:10.1145/3411764

General Chairs:
Yoshifumi Kitamura
Tohoku University, Japan
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Aaron Quigley
University of New South Wales, Australia
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University of California Santa Cruz, USA
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Takeo Igarashi
The University of Tokyo, Japan
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Publications Chairs:
Pernille Bjørn
University of Copenhagen, Denmark
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Microsoft Research, USA

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Published: 07 May 2021

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Cited By

Zimmerman JSteinfeld ATomasic AJ. Romero O(2022)Recentering Reframing as an RtD ContributionProceedings of the 2022 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems10.1145/3491102.3517789(1-14)Online publication date: 29-Apr-2022
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3491102.3517789
Om CBrereton MDema TPloderer B(2021)Design Opportunities to Enhance Children's Engagement with Nature in Bhutan: A Working Field TheoryProceedings of the 33rd Australian Conference on Human-Computer Interaction10.1145/3520495.3520516(51-61)Online publication date: 30-Nov-2021
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3520495.3520516

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