Pattern languages in HCI: A critical review

This article presents a critical review of patterns and pattern languages in human-computer interaction (HCI). In recent years, patterns and pattern languages have received considerable attention in HCI for their potential as a means for developing and communicating information and knowledge to support good design. This review examines the background to patterns and pattern languages in HCI, and seeks to locate pattern languages in relation to other approaches to interaction design. The review explores four key issues: What is a pattern? What is a pattern language? How are patterns and pattern languages used? and How are values reflected in the pattern-based approach to design? Following on from the review, a future research agenda is proposed for patterns and pattern languages in HCI

Flora robotica -- An Architectural System Combining Living Natural Plants and Distributed Robots

Key to our project flora robotica is the idea of creating a bio-hybrid system of tightly coupled natural plants and distributed robots to grow architectural artifacts and spaces. Our motivation with this ground research project is to lay a principled foundation towards the design and implementation of living architectural systems that provide functionalities beyond those of orthodox building practice, such as self-repair, material accumulation and self-organization. Plants and robots work together to create a living organism that is inhabited by human beings. User-defined design objectives help to steer the directional growth of the plants, but also the system's interactions with its inhabitants determine locations where growth is prohibited or desired (e.g., partitions, windows, occupiable space). We report our plant species selection process and aspects of living architecture. A leitmotif of our project is the rich concept of braiding: braids are produced by robots from continuous material and serve as both scaffolds and initial architectural artifacts before plants take over and grow the desired architecture. We use light and hormones as attraction stimuli and far-red light as repelling stimulus to influence the plants. Applied sensors range from simple proximity sensing to detect the presence of plants to sophisticated sensing technology, such as electrophysiology and measurements of sap flow. We conclude by discussing our anticipated final demonstrator that integrates key features of flora robotica, such as the continuous growth process of architectural artifacts and self-repair of living architecture.Comment: 16 pages, 12 figure

Perception and attitudes towards public green spaces – exploring the spatial dimension

As cities expand and become more complex, choices made over land use become increasingly relevant. Urban Green Spaces (UGS) are essential elements in the constantly evolving urban realm, as they can significantly contribute to the quality of life of the population. Green infrastructure planning is a complex process that should consider all dimensions of sustainable development. The investigation of public perceptions and attitudes provides key information for understanding social patterns in the interaction between the population and UGS. However, most studies tend to artificially dissociate social analysis from the spatial dimension, by examining attitudes and perceptions based only on surveys. This study applied an integrated approach, by using spatial analysis to provide additional variables that can help to explain individual behaviors and perceptions towards UGS. The research carried out in Bragança (Portugal), a small town with a population of around 25.000 inhabitants, located on Northeast of Portugal, was conducted by a domiciliary survey, distributing questionnaires to 251 inhabitants, addressing a representative sample (proportional to gender and age groups), and taking into account the spatial distribution of the population. Questionnaires’ raised a wide range of issues including the assessment of uses, the preferences on UGS and the perception of environmental quality. Data was then processed to include a geo-reference of household location, thus allowing for spatial analysis of users attitudes towards UGS. Results from questionnaires interpretation, show that both attitudes and perceptions towards UGS present some variability considering such characteristics as age, gender, professional status, academic level and the tenure of house gardens. Spatial analysis was developed using ArcGis 9.3 (ESRI ®) software. Spatial relations were established using an urban permeability matrix that allowed for the determination of the estimated distance between households and UGS. Results show that inhabitants living closer to UGS tend to use them more regularly. When asked to name and order the three UGS preferably used, the order of choices was mostly defined considering the increase in distance. Size was also fund to be a relevant aspect, as results show preferences towards the use of the closest larger UGS (with over 0,5 ha) over the closest smaller UGS (below 0,5 ha), despite the relative higher abundance and proximity of the second ones. Results add to the recognition of the importance of adequate distribution of UGS, in both size and location, as a part of urban planning process

Designing library tools: the (un)importance of employee involvement

The growing trend of public institutions to open up data and information to citizens encouraged archives and libraries to enhance the disclosure of their content towards end-users. This implies technical challenges as more and more information is exchanged not only between people, but also between different databases and applications which are consulted by different user groups through different devices and entry points. For libraries, the challenge lies in constructing a properly functioning catalogue which is able to combine a huge amount of information from various sources and is consultable by a large group of end-users in a user friendly manner. Based on the User Centred Design paradigm and Kaulio’s (1998) degrees of user involvement in innovation, this paper wants to consider whether involving users during the creation of metadata tools can result in more motivated library co-workers and a more appreciated tool and (hopefully) in a permanent tagging tool

Using pattern languages in participatory design

In this paper, we examine the contribution that pattern languages could make to user participation in the design of interactive systems, and we report on our experiences of using pattern languages in this way. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the use of patterns and pattern languages in the design of interactive systems. Pattern languages were originally developed by the architect, Christopher Alexander, both as a way of understanding the nature of building designs that promote a ‘humane’ or living built environment; and as a practical tool to aid in participatory design of buildings. Our experience suggests that pattern languages do have considerable potential to support participatory design in HCI, but that many pragmatic issues remain to be resolved.</p

Living labs as a driver for change in regional television

Traditional television production and distribution organizations are increasingly being challenged by a rapidly changing technological environment. These evolutions force the television industry to leave their comfort zone. This context in mind, regional television broadcasters often lack the resources, knowledge and organizational flexibility to cope with this external pressure. In this paper, we discuss the use of Living Labs as ‘innovation intermediaries’ and ‘change facilitators’ that foster and enable user-centric innovation development processes, both inside and outside the organization. This phenomenon is approached from both an open innovation and a user innovation point of view. This paper considers Living Labs as open innovation ecosystems, enabling organizations to reach out and collaborate with their (potential) audience and other external actors, but also as an open ‘battle arena’ for the organization itself. The Living Lab process governs different expectations and enables conflicting opinions to come together and to steadily grow towards a mutual solution. Moreover, the innovation development process in the Living Lab seems to have innovation spill-over effects on the organizational level, catalyzing a broader organizational change