Interaction with networked systems
Segment
Research Project
Year
2022
Services
Design Research
Speculative Design
User Experience Design
Working on the computer would no longer be possible today without the Internet.
Programmes, digital services and data are therefore available on many devices and locations. This digital networking has become even more important and relevant during the coronavirus pandemic.
However, interaction with networked systems requires a greater understanding of the actual function. Graphical user interface methods reach their limits and often do not adequately represent digital networking. This creates confusion about how to handle the data, especially for inexperienced users.
Digitalisation brought many new tools and programs into offices. This has led to a multiplication of internal company communication channels. Each of the new channels is topic-specific and designed for its own data. New digital applications supplement old processes for defined purposes. Over time, a functional differentiation of digital communication channels emerged.
In contrast, the interaction paradigms of the tools were greatly reduced to the screen. This communication multitasking, including constant availability, results in constant distraction and a loss of productivity.
Before digitalisation, every communication channel had its own representation and presentation, but today the differentiation is no longer so clear. The Conactive master’s thesis therefore deals with the problem of how digital communication channels can be given a more suitable form. In particular, how can they be materialised again?
The disadvantage of haptic objects is that they are not as flexible as digital ones. A remote control is well suited to the use of a device, but quickly becomes too complex if it is to change its purpose. In the research fields of tangible user interfaces and data physicalisation, new ways of linking the digital and analogue worlds are being sought.
The speculative system design conactive is dedicated to the divergence between the multitude of digital communication channels in the office and the restrictions imposed by the analogue world. To this end, it utilises the ideas of activity-based working. In this design method, office spaces are allocated to tasks rather than people. This means that the perfect environment can be provided for each task and the rooms are utilised more efficiently.
This functional differentiation of space is supplemented by digital means of communication in the conactive system in the scenario developed for the year 2045. The now routine use of artificial intelligence in rational areas such as project management and controlling has greatly increased the value of creative ideas and social interaction.
Following the old credo of form-follows-function, the reason for communication and thus the transmitted information (data) is paramount.
At the same time, however, the place where the person is located also determines the available means of communication. This reduces user distraction and multitasking. Four artefacts were created as an example of speculative office system design:
Conblocks – physical day planning through data physicalisation
On an office day, employees receive their daily schedule from the AI via the conblocks. This physical visualisation of the virtually agreed appointments shows when, where and for how long they take place. They are transported by the connote. The digital, personal notebook provides further information on the appointments and tasks and digitises the handwritten notes.
After the appointments, the conblocks are returned to the cycle and can be reissued by the AI. This continuous reduction of the daily conblocks gives employees the positive feeling of having completed something.
Concup – informal communication through digital representation
The biggest loss of digital networking is the potential for informal communication in between work. This includes everything from having lunch together to a quick chat at the coffee machine. If employees use the concup, they can easily signal that they are ready for a conversation – whether online or at another company location. Colleagues can start a conversation with a virtual toast. If the conversation is to be extended via a visual channel after it has been accepted via the function in the cup handle, it can be supplemented by a connected screen.
The conactive system is created exclusively in the totality of the heterogeneous communication channels and the office as a place in itself. As a result, it does not require any representation in the form of a website or app. The artificial intelligence for the administrative tasks is therefore only reflected in the allocated data and results.
By reducing the number of screens, specifying the means of communication and adapting the interaction paradigms, the devices recede into the background and the cognitive capacity is focussed on important data and tasks.
