Design for Emergence: Collaborative Social Play

Design for Emergence investigates spontaneous, unpredictable uses of technology that are driven by social contexts and collaborative processes, based on our ability to communicate our presence, both virtual and physical, in symbolic ways. In light of the fact that social dynamics and unexpected uses of technology can inspire innovation, this book proposes a research model of design for emergence, focusing on emergent phenomena as part of an iterative design process. By providing playful, technology-mediated experiences with minimal structure, unpredictable user behaviours can emerge through exploration, resulting in a richer and more complex, social experience. The research methodology is practice-based; two interactive prototypes were designed, implemented and evaluated in different contexts. User studies showed that collaborative, spontaneous play can enhance the sense of social participation in a group activity. Collective and individual behaviours and creative uses of technology emerged from a simply designed application based on symbolic presence, both in the virtual and the physical world. The observed emergent behaviours are personal and collective extensions of the virtual experience in the real world.

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