Interaction Design

The design of a technology is also always the design of an interaction. Hence the subject of design goes beyond formal aspects, appearances, and interfaces of technologies to concern the experiences, behaviours and qualities of life that emerge from them. As designed interactions influence individuals and societies, technology cannot be considered as neutral. This necessitates that the political, social and psychological effects of technology assume a more prominent position within the discourse surrounding design.

This symposium explores the current state of the design of interactions from three perspectives. First, from the perspective of interacting through technologies, by discussing how technological artefacts increasingly mediate interpersonal communication and thus, human relationships. The promise of new communication channels, for example, often lures us into a private world that, rather than allowing us access to the world’s knowledge, reinforces our preexisting views. Second, from the perspective of interacting within environments shaped by technologies, exploring for instance how technologies such as light not only ameliorate everyday situations, but fundamentally influence and reconfigure social interactions. Third, from the perspective of thinking about possible or alternative ways of living through fictional and speculative design objects, which thereby become objects of debate and forms of interacting with possibilities of existence.

Speakers include: Langdon Winner (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute), Heather Horst (RMIT University), Raiford Guins (Stony Brook University), Don Slater (London School of Economics), Noortje Marres (Goldsmiths), Usman Haque (London), Francois Roche (New-Territories), Fiona Raby (Royal College of Art) and Jason Tester (Institute for the Future).

The Symposium is organised by Karmen Franinovic and Björn Franke (Zurich University of the Arts)