DesignX: Complex Sociotechnical Systems

This paper is a follow up to DesignX, a position paper written in 2014, which introduced the design challenges of complex sociotechnical systems such as healthcare, transportation, governmental policy, and environmental protection. We conclude that the major challenges presented by DesignX problems stem not from trying to understand or address...

Contending stigma in product design: Using insights from social psychology as a stepping stone for design strategies

Assistive, protective or medical products that are visibly worn or used in proximity to the human body can have an emotional impact on their users and bystanders. In his design effort it is important for a designer to be mindful of the potential stigma a product might elicit. The identity threat model of Major (2005) is used as a stepping-stone...

Masked aversion: Walking and staring behavior towards stigmatizing products

An encounter with a person using or wearing a potentially stigmatizing product is an impacting experience that is the result of the artifact itself, the individual experiencing the stigma, the observing bystanders and the cultural context in which the situation is set. Using or wearing a potentially stigmatizing product might stimulate...