Technology probes: inspiring design for and with families

TitleTechnology probes: inspiring design for and with families
Publication TypeConference Papers
Year of Publication2003
AuthorsHutchinson H, Mackay W, Westerlund B, Bederson BB, Druin A, Plaisant C, Beaudouin-Lafon M, Conversy S, Evans H, Hansen H, Roussel N, Eiderbäck B
Conference NameProceedings of the SIGCHI conference on Human factors in computing systems
Date Published2003///
PublisherACM
Conference LocationNew York, NY, USA
ISBN Number1-58113-630-7
Keywordscomputer mediated communication, ethnography, Home, participatory design and cooperative design
Abstract

We describe a new method for use in the process of co-designing technologies with users called technology probes. Technology probes are simple, flexible, adaptable technologies with three interdisciplinary goals: the social science goal of understanding the needs and desires of users in a real-world setting, the engineering goal of field-testing the technology, and the design goal of inspiring users and researchers to think about new technologies. We present the results of designing and deploying two technology probes, the messageProbe and the videoProbe, with diverse families in France, Sweden, and the U.S. We conclude with our plans for creating new technologies for and with families based on our experiences.

URLhttp://doi.acm.org/10.1145/642611.642616
DOI10.1145/642611.642616