A small space for playful messaging in the workplace

Abstract

We present Picco, a tiny situated display for drawings and simple animations, which are created on a dedicated tablet app. Picco was designed to support playful messaging in the workplace through a glanceable desktop device that would place minimal demands on users. Two studies of the device at work demonstrated how crafting was an expression of intimacy when the device was used to connect the workplace to the home, and a way of demonstrating skill and humor to a broad audience when messages were sent amongst co-workers. However, the level of skill needed to produce these messages became a barrier to entry for some co-workers. Our findings suggest that visible ownership of a situated device, which can be personalized in other ways, can underpin a secondary level of participation that is crucial in supporting a sense of involvement when the level of crafting required can stifle more direct participation.

Designing for reflection on sender effort in close personal communication

“…Similar evidence has emerged from field studies of messaging technologies (e.g. [13,16]) and from the CSCW literature on relational maintenance in social media [7,8,30]. According to these studies, decisions to send particular types of messages are equated with investment in a relationship on the basis of effort and care.…”

CoasterMe: Supporting Informal Workplace Awareness Through the Everyday Behaviour of Drinking

“…Previous research in HCI has attempted to resolve these problems through lightweight information-sharing systems that enhance coworkers' awareness of mutual availability. Examples include networked desktop displays that enable the sharing of drawings between coworkers [8] or systems which allow people to signal their availability by publicly sharing information about their daily schedule [17]. However, one drawback of these systems is that they demand effort from the user to provide information, which may detract from time spent on meaningful work activities.…”