Design Fiction for Real-World Connected Wearables

Eff the ineffable: on the uncommunicability of a conceptually simple contribution to HCI methodology

“…Anonymity policies make it very difficult to build on previous work. At the end of my position paper [36], I declared that my next article would be an in-depth thematic analysis of the PDFis.…”

“…• from independent adult participants (so they would have agency to participate as they wished, without being overridden by parents [14], carers, bosses or other authority figures [42]), • of real wearable technology probes [20] (devices with minimum functionality to test the experience of wearing the device in reality, and as a perceptual bridge [3] between the real world and the storyworld), • for everyday connected wearables [36] (i.e wearables for everyday situations, that send or receive data, and are worn solely out of choice and not necessity -this meant no medical, safety-critical, or occupational devices; and no devices with electronic components but without connectivity),…”

“…Cue Frauenberger [17] on "Entanglement HCI", expressing considerable angst about Actor-Network Theory, Object-Oriented Ontology and Postphenomenology. Here is my opportunity to show that the main design artefact of my own research -the Gallery Necklace [36] -is in a totally different relation to the wearer than Ihde [21] ever even noticed. Ryan's 2014 book [40] about the history of wearables remarked on the postphenomenologist's inattention to wearables, with a sidelong glance at Barthes into the bargain.…”

“…A toy would be in an alterity relation with the human. And the Gallery Necklace is too [36]. The Gallery Necklace is an eInk screen, wearable in the setting of a statement necklace, with an image that changes every three minutes when powered on.…”

Accessible Gaming Wearables: Opportunities for Players with Upper Limb Motor Disabilities

“…Combining design fiction and participatory design methods has become increasingly popular in HCI research, including in wearables research [76], intimate artefacts [77], and UTI treatments [78]. Nagele et al [78] particularly identify the value of using participatory design fiction methods with vulnerable users by better representing and valuing the opinions and experiences of individuals whose experiences lie outside of the societal "norm."…”