Design Conceptualization and Communication

The Design Conceptualization and Communication (DCC) section is made up of the Design Techniques (DT) group and the Social and Contextual Interaction Design (SCID) group. The DT group focuses on developing methods, tools, and techniques to support designers and design teams in the conceptual phase of the design process. Visual expression and exploration, both on paper and in digital media, in the tools and techniques of the designer thus are an important part of the group’s research and education. The SCID group focuses on designing everyday aware products, across diverse cultures and people, that are contextually aware of the user in a social environment. Central to studying contextually aware products is the need to: (1) gain knowledge on how information relating to the users tasks and activities can be modelled, (2) consider how interaction can be shared between the user and system, and (3) develop rich, persuasive, and engaging forms of user-product communication. The group is focused on interaction design techniques and concepts in relation to using smart products and - environments to shape and maintain social and environmental sustainability.