Interacting Like a Girl: Considering Body Comportment in the Design of Embodied Interactions

Recently, design research has embraced more-than-human perspectives to explore the complex entanglements of our world, decentering the human subject and eliminating dualistic thinking. Despite these advances, further progress is needed to develop a future that equally considers all beings. This paper examines the impact of body comportment on the design of embodied, interactive technologies. Drawing on Iris Marion Young's essay, we argue that the assumption of a universal body standard can lead to a disconnect between a person’s intentions and their interactions with technology. We relate three modalities of body comportment---ambiguous transcendence, inhibited intentionality, and discontinuous unity---to embodied interaction. These modalities offer a perspective on how embodied being-in-the-world extends beyond physical capabilities, facilitating a pluralist view of the human body. We discuss the implications of Young's essay for research and design, reflecting on how the designer’s own 'feminine existence' may influence the spatial scope of embodied interactions.