Abstract

Be they utopian or dystopian in nature, science fiction texts incorporate complex ideologies into scenarios of imagined future interactions. This renders them a potentially useful tool for the design of new technologies. This research study examines the use of the science fiction genre to inform the development of scenario-narratives that depict the possible use of interactive systems. The specific focus is on the use of urban screens in inner-city residential environments.

The process of constructing the science fiction scenario-narratives not only provides the design team with an appreciation of how residents might interact with the technology, it also gives the resistant users a voice, thus constructing them as a legitimate group whose needs must be met. Ultimately, this informs the design of an urban screen prototype that catered for the potential users of the system, while simultaneously incorporating the needs of the potential non-users.

Team

• Dr Christine Satchell
• Prof. Paul Dourish