CCA MFA Design, Advanced Design Research, Topic: Meaningful Technology

Mark Pearsall Advanced Design Research

California College of the Arts 4.30.2012

Participatory Design& Meaningful Technology

Background

Technology has created an interconnectedness of people that has never happened before. It is this interconnectedness and meaningful aspect of how technology positively effects our lives that I am focused on.

Objective

Can technology be anything more than just technology? Is there away for technology to help awaken and participate in the human spirit? How do participants in technological processes go beyond the intended use value.

Objective

The apparent disconnect people have when relating themselves to technology, and how different personas

connect with themselves, nature, and other people.

The Naturalist The Seeker The Optimist

Methodology

Continued Interviews with Past Participants Developing the framework in which to have a conversation, inviting the participants to look at their use and relationship of technology.

Target Market

Ages 23 - 29 60% Female 40% MaleOf Varying Cultural BackgroundEveryday Users of Technology

Self Examination I see myself “going into” the computer when involved in projects and having a connection of my own personal energies and the act of computation as a process of harmony between man and machine.

Methodology

Methodology

Technoshamanism Attempts to use technological paradigms for the modification of consciousness in reality and magick.

Methodology

Quantum Mysticism propose the idea that an underlying consciousness or intel-ligence connects everyone, based on the fact that quantum fields can be interpreted as extending infinitely in space

Methodology

Jaron Lanier You Are Not A Gadget Lanier’s argument for that humanity as a critical mass does not act as a large organism and that within the crowd – the voice of the individual is often diminished.

Tools Show & Tell

“

Technology allows me to stay in touch with my family, I can’t express how important this is for me and how big role it play in my life.”

The Self

Family

Security

Daydream

Imagination

Knowledge

Tools Show & Tell

Digital Tarot is a Motivational Tool for me to be inspired and to do my best everyday.

Tools Critical Technology

“

During one of my trips abroad I experience a death in the family. Although this wasn’t a positive experience, I was still able to stay in contact with my family through texting even while I was in a remote part of the country.

Tools Future-Casting

“

In a more abstract level, I imagine it to be so integrated to our daily lives that technology becomes the medium for how we live.

Analysis

What Is Technology? It is something applicable for human, based on knowledge we learn and develop

A tool created for a specific purpose

Technology is a complicated method of doing something, performing certain function

Insights

Participants view Technology as a source of connection to knowledge, people, and to their emotions

Beyond the utility of Technology devices there is a sense of security, compassion, joy that people are able to share with one another In the Future Technology will be seamlessly intertwined in human interaction

“I see cloud technology and our powerful phones and tablets as being a personable experience. I will be able to connect constantly and research, play, navigate, study, and create whenever and wherever I want.”

Meta

Physical

TechnologyThe Self Collective Unconscious

Individuals Family & Friends Communities

“The Most Important Thing About a Technology is How it Changes People.”-Jaron Lanier