Exploring Co-located Interactions with a Shape-Changing Bar ChartData-physicalizations encode data and meaning through geometry or material properties, providing a non-planar view of data, offering novel opportunities for interrogation, discovery and presentation. This field has explored how single users interact with complex 3D data, but the challenges in the application of this technology to collaborative situations have not been addressed. We describe a study exploring interactions and preferences among co-located individuals using a dynamic data-physicalization in the form of a shape-changing bar chart, and compare this to previous work with single participants. Results suggest that co-located interactions with physical data prompt non-interactive hand gestures, a mirroring of physicalizations, and novel hand gestures in comparison to single participant studies. We also note that behavioural similarities in participants between interactive tabletop studies and data-physicalizations may be capitalised upon for further development of these dynamic representations. Finally, we consider the implications and challenges for the adoption of these types of platforms.2023MSMiriam Sturdee et al.Lancaster UniversityShape-Changing Interfaces & Soft Robotic MaterialsData PhysicalizationCollaborative Learning & Peer TeachingCHI
A Visual Exploration of Cybersecurity ConceptsCybersecurity related concepts can be difficult to explain or summarise. The complexity associated with these concepts is compounded by the impact of rapid technological changes and the contextual nature of the meaning ascribed to the various themes. Since visual imagery is often employed in articulation and explanation, we conducted a study in which we asked participants to sketch their understanding of cybersecurity concepts, such as trust, risk, and privacy. Based on an analysis of these sketches and subsequent discussions with participants, we make the case for the use of sketching and visuals as a tool for cybersecurity research. Further, our collection of sketches and icons can serve as the seed for a visual vocabulary for cybersecurity that can help people develop clearer conceptual understanding.2022MSMiriam Sturdee et al.Privacy by Design & User ControlPrivacy Perception & Decision-MakingC&C
Do Humans Dream of Digital Devices? Subconscious User Experiences and NarrativesDo humans dream of electronic and digital devices? Or are our dreams free of technology, its influences and disruptions. When technology does appear, what part does it play in our subconscious narratives? Dreams are a reflection and distillation of our daily cognitive processes and waking experiences, and ubiquitous items such as mobile phones have become part of our everyday existence. This pictorial explores subjective dream imagery and narrative concerning the appearance and user experience of technology within our subconscious.2022MSMiriam Sturdee et al.Technology Ethics & Critical HCIC&C
Designing Blended ExperiencesThe increasing ubiquity of interactions as a mix between digital content and physical objects and spaces brings about new challenges for designers. There is a need to embed digital systems in physical places, whether those are existing physical structures or existing digital platforms. Traditional approaches to product design, interaction design and user experience design do not often take this new context into account. They do not consider how designers produce new digital and physical experiences that work harmoniously to provide new forms of engagement. To address this, we illustrate the constructs of blended experiences and how they can be used in the context of bridging green spaces between different countries. We propose the idea of blended experiences and offer a framework of constructs and techniques that can help designers work in this emerging area of design.2021BOBrian OKeefe et al.Sustainable HCIEcological Design & Green ComputingHuman-Nature Relationships (More-than-Human Design)DIS
A Plurality of Practices: Artistic Narratives in HCI ResearchThe arts and Human Computer Interaction (HCI) have a lot in common. As part of computer science HCI is ground breaking, interdisciplinary and focused on the interactions that form part of our everyday world. As part of the arts, HCI is a lens on technology, showing us spaces where there is room to interact and create new and meaningful blended experiences. It is therefore no surprise that many researchers and practitioners in our field have and maintain creative practices alongside, and as part of their research. We discuss how these dual practices relate to each other, and how we might reconcile our mindful creative experiences with the formality of research. What benefits does such duality have, and can we illustrate the value of arts practice in HCI? This pictorial curates diverse artistic practice from a range of researchers, and offers reflection on the benefits and tensions in creativity and computing.2021MSMiriam Sturdee et al.Digital Art Installations & Interactive PerformanceInteractive Narrative & Immersive StorytellingC&C
A Visual Exploration of Cybersecurity ConceptsCybersecurity related concepts can be difficult to explain or summarise. The complexity associated with these concepts is compounded by the impact of rapid technological changes and the contextual nature of the meaning ascribed to the various themes. Since visual imagery is often employed in articulation and explanation, we conducted a study in which we asked participants to sketch their understanding of cybersecurity concepts, such as trust, risk, and privacy. Based on an analysis of these sketches and subsequent discussions with participants, we make the case for the use of sketching and visuals as a tool for cybersecurity research. Further, our collection of sketches and icons can serve as the seed for a visual vocabulary for cybersecurity that can help people develop clearer conceptual understanding.2021MSMiriam Sturdee et al.Interactive Data VisualizationPrivacy by Design & User ControlPrivacy Perception & Decision-MakingC&C
Research Journeys: Making the Invisible VisualWe argue for a new way of using pictorial publications to communicate the social, cultural, and material contexts in which “in the wild” research is carried out. Such research often allows for partial researcher perspectives, as the researchers travel to, encounter, and leave those places. However, in HCI research, the journeys and interactions in and around those places are rarely reported directly in archival papers. We argue that those journeys and interactions directly inform how we make sense of the project, and thus should be recorded and shared appropriately. We argue that pictorials can be a format that breaks the boundary between “supplementary materials” and archival publications, and allows us to do that sharing function. We illustrate this argument through reporting of our Research Journey to a number of islands off the west coast of Ireland as part of a project that is developing technology to support rural community radio.2020MSMiriam Sturdee et al.Participatory DesignField StudiesDIS
Drawing on Experiences of Self: Dialogical SketchingIn this paper, we present a method of Dialogical Sketching. We introduce the development of this method as a discursive aid to understanding design probe responses within participatory co-design engagements but also articulate its potential more broadly within participatory research. Situated within a research study into the potential of digital jewellery to support self, we focus on how sketching can elucidate reflection on layers of meaning conveyed both explicitly and implicitly in participants’ probe responses. The method enabled an iterative dialogue not bound by certainty, but more by inference, interpretation and suggested meanings. Systems of sketching scaffolded conversations about personal issues and feelings that were difficult to articulate in a way that was imaginative, rather than descriptive. We argue that the method firstly enriches the potential of probes, secondly encourages discourse in open and often uncertain ways and thirdly can enable sustained participatory engagement even through challenging circumstances.2020NKNantia Koulidou et al.Participatory DesignDesign FictionComputational Methods in HCIDIS
Applied Sketching in HCI: Hands-on Course of Sketching TechniquesHand-drawn sketches are an easy way for researchers to communicate and express ideas, as well as document, explore and describe concepts between researcher, user, or client. Sketches are fast, easy to create, and – by varying their fidelity – they can be used in all areas of HCI. The Applied Sketching in HCI course will explore and demonstrate themes around sketching in HCI with the aim of producing tangible outputs. Those attending will leave the course with the confidence to engage actively with sketching on a day-to-day basis. Participants will be encouraged to apply what they have learnt to their own research.2018MLMakayla Lewis et al.Prototyping & User TestingCHI
Applied Sketching in HCI: Hands-on Course of Sketching TechniquesHand-drawn sketches are an easy way for researchers to communicate and express ideas, as well as document, explore and describe concepts between researcher, user, or client. Sketches are fast, easy to create, and – by varying their fidelity – they can be used in all areas of HCI. The Applied Sketching in HCI course will explore and demonstrate themes around sketching in HCI with the aim of producing tangible outputs. Those attending will leave the course with the confidence to engage actively with sketching on a day-to-day basis. Participants will be encouraged to apply what they have learnt to their own research.2018MLMakayla Lewis et al.Lancaster UniversityPrototyping & User TestingCHI
SketCHI: Hands-On Special Interest Group on Sketching in HCISketching is of great value as a process, input, output and tool in HCI, but can be confined to individual ideation or note-taking, as few researchers have the confidence to document events, studies and workshops under the public gaze. The recent surge in interest in this sometimes-overlooked skill has manifested itself in courses, workshops and live-scribing of high-profile events – and a renewed enthusiasm for freehand sketching as a formal part of the research process at all levels. SketCHI aims to address both research interests and sketching practice in a combined approach to define, discuss and deliver theory and methods to a broad audience. As well as structuring high level discussions and collating information and resources, this SIG will allow attendees to practice and explore observational sketching on location around the conference, with feedback and encouragement from industry professionals. Finally, attendees will be encouraged to collaborate and form a research community around sketching in HCI.2018MLMakayla Lewis et al.Brunel UniversityAging-Friendly Technology DesignKnowledge Worker Tools & WorkflowsPrototyping & User TestingCHI
Applied Sketching in HCI: Hands-on Course of Sketching TechniquesHand-drawn sketches are an easy way for researchers to communicate and express ideas, as well as document, explore and describe concepts between researcher, user, or client. Sketches are fast, easy to create, and – by varying their fidelity – they can be used in all areas of HCI. The Applied Sketching in HCI course will explore and demonstrate themes around sketching in HCI with the aim of producing tangible outputs. Those attending will leave the course with the confidence to engage actively with sketching on a day-to-day basis. Participants will be encouraged to apply what they have learnt to their own research.2018MLMakayla Lewis et al.Lancaster UniversityUser Research Methods (Interviews, Surveys, Observation)CHI