Mobile Technologies for Supporting Reflective Design Practices

Purpose and goal

This project advanced the understanding of reflective practice and the value of technology in supporting it. It explored design practice and knowledge generated, as well as the role of emotional arousal in the design process, i.e. VibeRate system. It also explored the value of two wearable systems, i.e. AffectCam and Affective Health in supporting memory of and reflection on personally relevant episodic memories. We also investigated two specific forms of emotional processing such as intentional forgetting and letting go, together with their associated disposal practices.

Results and expected effects

The project outcomes include four publications with two full papers accepted at CHI 2013 and 2014, the flagship Human-Computer Interaction conference. Other outcomes consist of four manuscripts in preparation developed on the basis of gathered data sets. Not at least, a high quality grant proposal which failed short of funding in 2013, will be revised and resubmitted in 2014 under Marie Curie Program, funded by the European Commission.

Approach and implementation

Throughout the project, I have lead and contributed to the design of ten studies including three user studies on Affective Health, two user studies on AffectCam, two technology probe-studies with designers, one on the VibeRate system, three interview studies with students, design researchers and psychotherapists, respectively.