Short answer
When designing for care, explicitly define which aspect of care is being addressed and consider how it aligns with established paradigms within HCI to ensure a well-informed and impactful design.
- Field
- User-Centred Design
- Source
- Academic Publication (2026)
- Method
- Meta-narrative review
- Sample
- 317 papers
- Evidence
- Moderate effect
Understanding diverse framings of 'care' within Human-Computer Interaction research reveals distinct approaches to designing technology that supports human well-being and relationships. This user-centred design research insight is drawn from a 2026 study published in Academic Publication. Using Meta-narrative review with 317 papers, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: When designing for care, explicitly define which aspect of care is being addressed and consider how it aligns with established paradigms within HCI to ensure a well-informed and impactful design.
Six Paradigms of Care in HCI Shape Technology Design
Understanding diverse framings of 'care' within Human-Computer Interaction research reveals distinct approaches to designing technology that supports human well-being and relationships.
Academic Publication · 2026
Key Findings
- 01The field of HCI exhibits diverse understandings and applications of 'care' in technology design.
- 02Six distinct 'paradigmatic framings' of care were identified, each with unique assumptions and technological implications.
- 03A conceptual map illustrates the relationships between these framings, their technological manifestations, and their temporal development.
Application
Design takeaway
When designing for care, explicitly define which aspect of care is being addressed and consider how it aligns with established paradigms within HCI to ensure a well-informed and impactful design.
How to apply
Before embarking on a design project involving care, conduct a literature review to understand existing approaches and identify which care paradigm best fits the project's goals. Use the conceptual map to situate your design within the broader landscape.
Project actions
- 01When defining the scope of your design project, clearly state which type of 'care' you are focusing on.
- 02Use the identified paradigms to justify your design choices and explain why they are appropriate for the chosen aspect of care.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Comprehensive review of a large body of literature.
- +Development of a structured framework (six paradigms and conceptual map) for understanding care in HCI.
Limitations
The study focused only on HCI papers, so other fields might have different perspectives on care. The six identified paradigms are a simplification of a complex topic.
Reliability & validity
The reliability of the meta-narrative review depends on the rigor of the paper selection and coding process. Validity is enhanced by the large sample size and the development of a conceptual map to represent findings.
Think critically
How might the identified paradigms of care in HCI be applied to non-digital design contexts, such as urban planning or product design?
Design Principles
"Design for care by understanding and articulating the specific paradigm of care being supported, its underlying assumptions, and its relationship to user needs and technological affordances."
Designers can leverage these identified paradigms to more intentionally and effectively create technologies that address specific aspects of care, whether for individuals, communities, or the environment. Recognizing these different lenses helps avoid a one-size-fits-all approach to designing for care.
What This Means for Your Design
Researchers found that when people talk about 'care' in technology, they mean six different things. Knowing these six meanings helps designers make better tech for caring.
How to use in your project
- 1.Reference this research to justify your choice of design focus within the broad area of care, explaining which paradigm your project aligns with.
- 2.Use the identified paradigms to critically analyze existing technologies or to inform the development of new ones.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
This research highlights that 'care' in technology design is multifaceted, encompassing six distinct paradigms. My design project specifically addresses the [mention relevant paradigm, e.g., 'supportive care'] paradigm by [briefly explain how]. This approach is informed by the understanding that [explain why this paradigm is relevant to your design].
Source
Academic Publication
Caring about Care: A Meta-Narrative Review of HCI Research on Care
journal · 2026
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about six paradigms of care in hci shape technology design?
- When designing for care, explicitly define which aspect of care is being addressed and consider how it aligns with established paradigms within HCI to ensure a well-informed and impactful design. Evidence: Academic Publication (2026).
- Why does "Six Paradigms of Care in HCI Shape Technology Design" matter for design?
- Designers can leverage these identified paradigms to more intentionally and effectively create technologies that address specific aspects of care, whether for individuals, communities, or the environment. Recognizing these different lenses helps avoid a one-size-fits-all approach to designing for care.
- How can designers apply this research?
- When designing for care, explicitly define which aspect of care is being addressed and consider how it aligns with established paradigms within HCI to ensure a well-informed and impactful design.
- What were the main findings?
- The field of HCI exhibits diverse understandings and applications of 'care' in technology design.. Six distinct 'paradigmatic framings' of care were identified, each with unique assumptions and technological implications.. A conceptual map illustrates the relationships between these framings, their technological manifestations, and their temporal development.
- What research method was used?
- Meta-narrative review with 317 papers.
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2026 journal from Academic Publication.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- Before embarking on a design project involving care, conduct a literature review to understand existing approaches and identify which care paradigm best fits the project's goals. Use the conceptual map to situate your design within the broader landscape.
- What are the limitations?
- The review is limited to SIGCHI papers, potentially excluding relevant research from other venues. The categorization of paradigms may be subject to interpretation.