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Constrained Design Processes: Steps Towards Convivial Computing

  • June 1987
Authors:
Gerhard Fischer at University of Colorado Boulder
Gerhard Fischer
Andreas C. Lemke
Andreas C. Lemke
Andreas C. Lemke
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Abstract

Our goal is to construct components of convivial computer systems which give people who use them the greatest opportunity to enrich their environments with the fruits of their vision. Constrained design processes are a means of resolving the conflict between the generality, power and rich functionality of modern computer systems, and the limited time and effort which casual and intermediate users want to spend to solve their problems without becoming computer experts. Intelligent support systems are components which make it less difficult to learn and use complex computer systems. We have constructed a variety of design kits as instances of intelligent user support systems which allow users to carry out constrained design processes and give them control over their environment. Our experience in building and using these design kits will be described.
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... Symbiosis went further, empowering humans to resist their dystopic society by creating and inhabiting their own alternative experiences. The role of technology in these utopias aligns with the concept of conviviality [43] as used within HCI [24,44]. Conviviality emphasizes autonomous and creative relationships between people and their environments through empowering, simple, and locally accessible tools [18,24,43,44]. ...
... The role of technology in these utopias aligns with the concept of conviviality [43] as used within HCI [24,44]. Conviviality emphasizes autonomous and creative relationships between people and their environments through empowering, simple, and locally accessible tools [18,24,43,44]. Within the group, discussing this role led to two coexisting views on the role of us researchers. ...
... emotions, perceptions and cognition), limiting human autonomy and serving capitalist agendas. Conversely, utopias like ConnectingBodies and Symbiosis saw technology as enhancing personal agency, empowering individuals to shape their own experiences in a convivial way [24,43,44]. In some cases, the integration of technology and the human body was almost inseparable, such as EpiSense's second skins and MindHarmony's neural implant, where human and technology acted as a joint entity for most of the time. ...
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