Adam Little @ CIID

Early morning chat and breakfast to share ideas about thesis

Still frighteningly vague given that this project is due at the end of August, but here it is anyway…

I want my thesis to …

I want my thesis to explore the social contexts of emerging technologies as they play out in people’s everyday lives. I want to emphasise the everyday by keeping my exploration grounded in reality through a process of user research and analysis. My research will look at the present and recent past so that I can ask questions about the future. At the same time I want to investigate the roles of scenarios, fictional narratives and storytelling as a means of exploring given contexts and communicating design concepts.

I’m interested in/inspired by…

I am interested in the behavioural effects of adopting new technologies and how this changes peoples everyday lives over time. I am also inspired by the creative uses of technology, new appropriations and the opportunities these create to help people improve their lives.

I am interested in new technologies and areas of research around the topic of urban computing, which explores the role of ubiquitous computing and networks in urban environments. Such new areas include locative media, location aware devices and participatory sensing.

It is important that this project involves itself with a context, user group or set of values that interests me personally. For example, how technology can support autonomy, spontaneity or mobility while also strengthening relationships, personal networks and communication. More examples include Copenhagen, cycling, empowerment, travel, community building, poor, disabled, exploration, etc..

During my thesis I would like to challenge myself in…

I would like to challenge myself in the early stages of the design process that we have been exploring throughout the year, which include user research, design vision, identifying problems & opportunities and visualising concepts through scenarios, personas and storytelling.