Short answer

Prioritize the design of interactive experiences that foster personal connection and critical engagement with sustainability issues, rather than solely relying on data presentation.

Field: User-Centred Design
Source: Summit (Simon Fraser University) (2013)
Method: Conceptual framework development and case study analysis.
Evidence: Moderate effect

Designing interactive experiences that resonate with users' daily lives can effectively engage them with the political dimensions of urban sustainability, moving beyond purely informational approaches. This user-centred design research insight is drawn from a 2013 study published in Summit (Simon Fraser University). Using Conceptual framework development and case study analysis., researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Prioritize the design of interactive experiences that foster personal connection and critical engagement with sustainability issues, rather than solely relying on data presentation.

Study

User-Centred DesignHigh ImpactModerate effect

Interactive experiences can politicize urban sustainability by bridging everyday perceptions with decision-making.

Summit (Simon Fraser University) · 2013

Key Findings

01There is an emerging 'turn to experience' in environmental communication, moving away from the information deficit model.
02Interactive experiences can be designed to evoke resonant feelings and connect users' daily lives to political decision-making regarding sustainability.
03Interactivity can be conceptualized as a process that mediates users' perception, action, and understanding of complex issues.

Application

Design takeaway

Prioritize the design of interactive experiences that foster personal connection and critical engagement with sustainability issues, rather than solely relying on data presentation.

How to apply

When designing public engagement tools for sustainability, focus on interactive elements that allow users to explore personal impacts and trade-offs, fostering a sense of agency and political awareness.

Project actions

01Consider how your design can evoke emotions or personal connections related to the problem.
02Explore how users' existing daily routines can be integrated into the interactive experience to highlight sustainability impacts.

Method & Evidence

AimHow can interactive experiences be designed to mediate the political culture of urban sustainability by fostering resonance with users' everyday lives?

MethodConceptual framework development and case study analysis.

ProcedureThe research developed a framework for understanding interactivity as a 'world disclosure' that shapes being, perception, action, and meaning. This framework was then applied to analyze various case studies of interactive installations, decision support tools, and serious games related to urban sustainability.

ContextEnvironmental communication and urban sustainability.

Variables

IVDesign of interactive experiences (e.g., type of interactivity, aesthetic qualities).

DVUser engagement with urban sustainability, perception of political aspects, resonance with everyday experiences.

CVInformation content presented, specific sustainability issue addressed.

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Provides a theoretical framework for understanding the politicizing potential of interactive design.
+Illustrates concepts with diverse, relevant case studies.

Limitations

The effectiveness of 'resonant experiences' can be subjective and difficult to measure objectively. Generalizing findings across different cultural contexts may also be challenging.

Reliability & validity

The conceptual framework offers theoretical validity. The case study approach provides rich qualitative data but may have limited generalizability, impacting external validity. Reliability would depend on consistent application of the framework across studies.

Think critically

To what extent can 'resonant experiences' be intentionally designed, and how can their 'politicizing' effects be reliably measured and evaluated?

Design Principles

"Design for resonance: create interactive experiences that connect with users' existing perceptions and emotions to foster deeper engagement with complex issues."

This research highlights a shift in environmental communication from information dissemination to experiential engagement. Designers can leverage this by creating interactive systems that not only inform but also evoke personal relevance and encourage critical reflection on sustainability issues.

What This Means for Your Design

Instead of just giving people facts about the environment, interactive designs can make them *feel* why sustainability matters by connecting it to their daily lives and choices.

How to use in your project

1.Use this research to justify a design approach that prioritizes user experience and emotional connection over purely functional or informational aspects.
2.Cite this work when discussing the limitations of traditional information-based communication and the potential of interactive design for engagement.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

This research highlights a critical shift in environmental communication towards experiential engagement, suggesting that interactive designs can effectively politicize urban sustainability by fostering resonance between users' everyday perceptions and the underlying decision-making processes. This approach moves beyond the limitations of information-deficit models by appealing to felt, meaningful aspects of user engagement, thereby offering a valuable framework for designing impactful sustainability initiatives.

Source

Summit (Simon Fraser University)

New Media and the Turn to Experience in Environmental Communication

journal · 2013

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about interactive experiences can politicize urban sustainability by bridging everyday perceptions with decision-making?: Prioritize the design of interactive experiences that foster personal connection and critical engagement with sustainability issues, rather than solely relying on data presentation. Evidence: Summit (Simon Fraser University) (2013).
Why does "Interactive experiences can politicize urban sustainability by bridging everyday perceptions with decision-making." matter for design?: This research highlights a shift in environmental communication from information dissemination to experiential engagement. Designers can leverage this by creating interactive systems that not only inform but also evoke personal relevance and encourage critical reflection on sustainability issues.
How can designers apply this research?: Prioritize the design of interactive experiences that foster personal connection and critical engagement with sustainability issues, rather than solely relying on data presentation.
What were the main findings?: There is an emerging 'turn to experience' in environmental communication, moving away from the information deficit model.. Interactive experiences can be designed to evoke resonant feelings and connect users' daily lives to political decision-making regarding sustainability.. Interactivity can be conceptualized as a process that mediates users' perception, action, and understanding of complex issues.
What research method was used?: Conceptual framework development and case study analysis..
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2013 journal from Summit (Simon Fraser University).
What should I do differently in my next project?: When designing public engagement tools for sustainability, focus on interactive elements that allow users to explore personal impacts and trade-offs, fostering a sense of agency and political awareness.
What are the limitations?: The study's focus is on conceptual frameworks and case studies, with limited empirical testing of specific design interventions on large, diverse populations.