Contextual Interaction Design: The Case of Pause Buddy

摘要

This paper describes a range of design techniques which have been elaborated upon by Industrial Designers to create novel interactive products in which context and social interaction play a central role in the user experience. The techniques described here can be broadly grouped under Context Mapping and Research through Design. The methods are presented as part of a design process, from "fuzzy front end" to a working field prototype. To illustrate how the methods can be applied, the design of a prototype product that was developed to reduce office stress by stimulating short breaks and social interaction pauses is described. The results of a field study are reported following by a reflection on the value of applied design methods.