Short answer
Design for seamless integration, acknowledging that users may perceive technology as an extension of their own being, influencing their identity and capabilities.
- Field
- User-Centred Design
- Source
- Information Technology and People (2018)
- Method
- Qualitative interpretive study
- Sample
- 27 participants
- Evidence
- Strong effect
Young adults increasingly perceive their smartphones not as external tools, but as integral parts of their identity and cognitive processes, forming a 'homo prostheticus' assemblage. This user-centred design research insight is drawn from a 2018 study published in Information Technology and People. Using Qualitative interpretive study with 27 participants, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Design for seamless integration, acknowledging that users may perceive technology as an extension of their own being, influencing their identity and capabilities.
Emerging Adults Integrate Smartphones as Extensions of Self
Young adults increasingly perceive their smartphones not as external tools, but as integral parts of their identity and cognitive processes, forming a 'homo prostheticus' assemblage.
Information Technology and People · 2018
Key Findings
- 01Participants viewed their smartphones as extensions of their minds and selves.
- 02The human-smartphone relationship was conceptualized as a broader assemblage, influenced by various factors.
- 03The term 'homo prostheticus' describes individuals living with and through their smartphones.
Application
Design takeaway
Design for seamless integration, acknowledging that users may perceive technology as an extension of their own being, influencing their identity and capabilities.
How to apply
When designing for young adults, consider how the product can become an intuitive and indispensable part of their daily lives, almost like a natural extension of their body or mind.
Project actions
- 01Consider the emotional connection users have with their products.
- 02Explore how users integrate technology into their daily routines and identity.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Explores a novel perspective on human-technology relationships.
- +Utilizes qualitative methods to capture rich user experiences.
Limitations
The study's findings are specific to a particular age group and cultural context, so direct application to other user groups may require further investigation.
Reliability & validity
The qualitative nature of the study provides rich insights but limits generalizability. Findings are context-dependent and may vary with different cultural backgrounds and age groups. Reliability could be enhanced through triangulation of data sources and methods.
Think critically
To what extent does the 'homo prostheticus' concept apply to older generations or different cultural contexts, and how might this influence design strategies for those groups?
Design Principles
"Design for intercorporeality: Create products that users perceive as extensions of themselves, fostering a sense of seamless integration and co-existence."
Understanding this deep integration is crucial for designers aiming to create products and services that resonate with users on a more profound, almost symbiotic level. It shifts the focus from mere functionality to the emotional and psychological connection users develop with technology.
What This Means for Your Design
Young people feel so connected to their smartphones that they see them as part of themselves, like an extra limb or a part of their brain.
How to use in your project
- 1.Use findings to justify design decisions that aim for seamless integration and user attachment.
- 2.Inform user research by exploring the psychological and emotional aspects of product interaction.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
This design project acknowledges that users, particularly emerging adults, often develop a deep intercorporeal relationship with their technology, viewing devices like smartphones as extensions of their own selves. This 'homo prostheticus' concept, where technology becomes an integral part of identity and cognitive function, informs the design approach by prioritizing seamless integration and intuitive interaction to foster a sense of natural extension rather than mere tool usage.
Source
Information Technology and People
<i>Homo prostheticus</i>? Intercorporeality and the emerging adult-smartphone assemblage
journal · 2018
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about emerging adults integrate smartphones as extensions of self?
- Design for seamless integration, acknowledging that users may perceive technology as an extension of their own being, influencing their identity and capabilities. Evidence: Information Technology and People (2018).
- Why does "Emerging Adults Integrate Smartphones as Extensions of Self" matter for design?
- Understanding this deep integration is crucial for designers aiming to create products and services that resonate with users on a more profound, almost symbiotic level. It shifts the focus from mere functionality to the emotional and psychological connection users develop with technology.
- How can designers apply this research?
- Design for seamless integration, acknowledging that users may perceive technology as an extension of their own being, influencing their identity and capabilities.
- What were the main findings?
- Participants viewed their smartphones as extensions of their minds and selves.. The human-smartphone relationship was conceptualized as a broader assemblage, influenced by various factors.. The term 'homo prostheticus' describes individuals living with and through their smartphones.
- What research method was used?
- Qualitative interpretive study with 27 participants.
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2018 journal from Information Technology and People.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When designing for young adults, consider how the product can become an intuitive and indispensable part of their daily lives, almost like a natural extension of their body or mind.
- What are the limitations?
- Findings are specific to a particular cultural group (British emerging adults) and may not be generalizable to all demographics or cultures.