Design Research and Object-Oriented Ontology

Abstract

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>In this paper we recount several research projects conducted at ImaginationLancaster (<jats:ext-link xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" ext-link-type="uri" xlink:href="http://imagination.lancs.ac.uk">http://imagination.lancs.ac.uk)</jats:ext-link> a Design-led research laboratory, all of which consider Object-Oriented Ontology (OOO). The role OOO plays in these projects is varied: as a generative mechanism contributing to ideation; as a framework for analysis; and as a constituent in developing new design theory. Each project’s focus is quite unique—an app, a board game, a set of Tarot cards, a kettle and a living room—however they are all concerned with developing new understandings relating to the ubiquitous, networked, ‘smart’ technologies which are often referred to as the Internet of Things (IoT). Through our reflexive account of these research projects the aim of this paper is to provide insights into, and promote new discussion about, the relevance and scope for OOO in socio-technical Design Research, and beyond.</jats:p>

The Divination of Things by Things

“…All artefacts described within the paper with the notable exception of the bespoke IoT Tarot cards are works of fiction created using the concept of world building as defined by Coulton et al [6] with the intention of ushering a debate into the view of non-human perspectives in the design of IoT enabled systems. The research furthers earlier works ( [1], [2], [12], [14]) in the use of Object-Oriented Ontology (OOO) as a means to approach the design of IoT enabled objects through a philosophical lens whereby questioning established human-centered design approaches for technology.…”

“…This paper presented a design fiction built around the Tarot of Things [12] an extension of a study in alternative perspectives for the design of Human Computer Interaction (HCI) being conducted at Lancaster University [7]. All artefacts described within the paper with the notable exception of the bespoke IoT Tarot cards are works of fiction created using the concept of world building as defined by Coulton et al [6] with the intention of ushering a debate into the view of non-human perspectives in the design of IoT enabled systems.…”

A Tarot of Things: a supernatural approach to designing for IoT

“…Going into further details would be exiting the scope of this paper, and risk convoluting the argument. That said, for those interested, our detailed exploration of philosophy and IoT is published elsewhere (Lindley et al, 2020). The following section explains the artefact in detail, its workings, and is followed by an inquiry through feedback and discussion from user testing.…”

Signs of the Time: Making AI Legible

“…The gravity of these issues is such that they are attracting multidisciplinary research effort. For example, Human-Computer Interaction scholars are striving to develop guidelines for designing AI systems (Amershi et al, 2019), computer scientists are developing technical methods to provably quantify bias(Ribeiro et al, 2016), and emerging design theories such as 'More-Than-Human Centred Design' update our dogmas for a world where technology is entwined in with society (P. as well as a number of other dalliances between contemporary Design Research and Philosophy(Lindley, Akmal, & Coulton, 2020; e.g Redström & Wiltse, 2019). 2 .…”