Exploring the home environment: fusing rubbish and design to encourage participant agency and self-reflection. (July 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: McKinnon, Heather; Sade, Gavin
• Is Part Of: Design studies. Volume 63(2019)
• Page Start: 155
• Page End: 180
• Publication Date: 2019-07
• Subjects: interaction design -- design research -- design methods -- creativity; Design -- Periodicals; 745.405
• DOI: 10.1016/j.destud.2019.05.001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0142-694X

Abstract

Abstract : This paper presents an in-home design study investigating the resource conservation strategies of 40 frugal households located across urban and regional Australia. The purpose of this paper is to reflect on the method of design to explore the home environment, discussing how this approach may benefit researchers looking to investigate the home. We provide a reflexive account of the design process undertaken in this study, and present a discussion into the benefits of using this approach. The contribution of this paper reflects on two main aspects: 1) Designing for the culture of the home; and 2) Using design to encourage participant agency and self-reflection. Highlights: A qualitative study of 40 Australian frugal households. Details the design process of research artefacts created out of rubbish. Artefacts designed to appeal to the values and interests of participants. Demonstrates the value of materiality and self-reflection.