Designing for Embodied Self-Discovery: Reconfiguring Menstruation Through Tactile Interaction
Designing interactive objects that encourage direct physical engagement with bodily fluids can foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of the menstruating body, challenging societal stigma.
Academic Publication · 2020
Key Findings
- 01Direct tactile engagement with bodily fluids led to the construction of new self-knowledge.
- 02Participants developed a nurturing appreciation for their changing bodies.
- 03Societal stigma and preconceptions about menstruation created friction in personal and social environments.
- 04Interaction design can mediate self-touch to reconfigure societal treatment of menstruating bodies.
Application
Design takeaway
Design products that encourage intimate, tactile engagement with the body to foster self-knowledge and challenge negative societal perceptions of natural bodily processes.
How to apply
Develop interactive products or systems that encourage users to explore and understand their own bodies in a safe and supportive manner, particularly for aspects often considered taboo.
Project actions
- 01Consider designing a product that helps users interact with a bodily function that is often stigmatized.
- 02Focus on how the user's physical interaction with the product leads to psychological or emotional changes.
- 03Explore how societal norms might influence the reception and use of your design.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Innovative use of Research through Design methodology.
- +Addresses a significant and often overlooked societal issue.
- +Focuses on embodied experience and its psychological impact.
Limitations
Small sample size, potential for researcher bias in interpreting user experiences, and the difficulty of generalizing findings across diverse cultural backgrounds.
Reliability & validity
Reliability could be improved with a larger, more diverse sample size and standardized interview protocols. Validity is strong in capturing rich qualitative data on user experience and the psychological impact of the design, but generalizability may be limited.
Think critically
To what extent can design truly overcome deeply ingrained societal stigmas, and what are the ethical considerations when designing for intimate bodily experiences?
Design Principles
"Embodied interaction with bodily functions can lead to increased self-awareness and acceptance."
This research highlights the potential of interaction design to address deeply ingrained societal norms and stigmas. By creating products that facilitate personal exploration of the body, designers can contribute to improved well-being and a more positive societal perception of natural bodily processes.
What This Means for Your Design
Making objects that help people touch and look at their period blood can help them understand their bodies better and feel more positive about them, even though society often makes people feel ashamed about periods.
How to use in your project
- 1.Reference this study when exploring the psychological and emotional impact of design on users, especially concerning sensitive topics.
- 2.Use it to justify the design of products that encourage self-exploration and challenge societal norms.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
(2020). Touching and Being in Touch with the Menstruating Body. Academic Publication. https://doi.org/10.1145/3313831.3376471 Retrieved from https://designdex.org/study/84ff875d-14b2-4b15-aeed-1e35796e8550/designing-for-embodied-self-discovery-reconfiguring-menstruation-through-tactile-interaction
Paragraph starter
The 'Curious Cycles' project by Campo Woytuk et al. (2020) demonstrates that designing for embodied interaction, specifically through tactile engagement with bodily fluids, can foster significant self-knowledge and a more nurturing appreciation of the body. This approach is relevant to our design project as it highlights the potential for interaction design to challenge societal stigmas and promote positive self-perception, suggesting that products facilitating intimate self-exploration can lead to profound personal insights.
Source
Questions about this research
- What does the research say about designing for embodied self-discovery: reconfiguring menstruation through tactile interaction?
- Design products that encourage intimate, tactile engagement with the body to foster self-knowledge and challenge negative societal perceptions of natural bodily processes. Evidence: Academic Publication (2020).
- Why does "Designing for Embodied Self-Discovery: Reconfiguring Menstruation Through Tactile Interaction" matter for design?
- This research highlights the potential of interaction design to address deeply ingrained societal norms and stigmas. By creating products that facilitate personal exploration of the body, designers can contribute to improved well-being and a more positive societal perception of natural bodily processes.
- How can designers apply this research?
- Design products that encourage intimate, tactile engagement with the body to foster self-knowledge and challenge negative societal perceptions of natural bodily processes.
- What were the main findings?
- Direct tactile engagement with bodily fluids led to the construction of new self-knowledge.. Participants developed a nurturing appreciation for their changing bodies.. Societal stigma and preconceptions about menstruation created friction in personal and social environments.. Interaction design can mediate self-touch to reconfigure societal treatment of menstruating bodies.
- What research method was used?
- Research through Design with 5 participants.
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2020 journal from Academic Publication.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- Develop interactive products or systems that encourage users to explore and understand their own bodies in a safe and supportive manner, particularly for aspects often considered taboo.
- What are the limitations?
- The study involved a small sample size, and the findings may be specific to the cultural context of the participants. The long-term effects of such interventions were not explored.
- Is there evidence that natural bodily affects design outcomes?
- By using specially designed objects to touch and observe their menstrual fluids, participants gained new insights into their bodies and developed a more positive self-image, though societal stigma surrounding menstruation presented challenges. This research highlights the potential of interaction design to address deep Source: Academic Publication (2020).
- Where does this bodily processes research apply?
- Personal care, health and well-being, interaction design It sits within user-centred design research on designdex.org.
Related research topics
natural bodily design research · evidence on natural bodily · does natural bodily improve design outcomes · bodily processes studies for designers · natural bodily and bodily processes findings · user-centred design research evidence