What is it about ?
Calm Technology is a design philosophy that aims to reduce the cognitive load and attentional demands of digital devices and systems. The term was first coined in the 1990s by Mark Weiser and John Seely Brown in response to the challenges and opportunities of ubiquitous computing, which envisioned a world in which computers would be embedded in everyday objects and environments. Today, as we move closer to that vision, Calm technology seeks to balance the benefits of connectivity with the drawbacks of information overload. It is based on the idea that technology should be unobtrusive and respectful of human needs and contexts. The aim is to create products that blend seamlessly into the background of everyday life, rather than constantly interrupt or distract the user, and interactions that are calm, subtle and ambient, rather than intrusive, distracting and overwhelming.1
Why should we care ?
In my work as a product designer and in my everyday life, I have noticed two main things. The first is that more and more products and services are becoming dematerialised, but still need to interact with us users in a material world. However, they are limited to screens and electronic sounds, and therefore become demanding rather than supportive. The second is that products that are still tangible are becoming digitised black boxes with more and more functionality but fewer ways to interact with them. This excludes us humans from interacting with them on our terms, and this can become overwhelming or frustrating because there is no longer an obvious connection between cause and effect. As a result, the relationship between us and digital objects & products deteriorates.
Calm Technology is here a way to resolve the first and combat the second, thereby improving our relationship with digital objects & products. Because relationships between us and them are built through interactions, based on how pleasant we users experience those interactions.
The core
Calm Technology’s mission is to materialise digital information and visualise tangible information in a natural way, thereby enhancing user experience, productivity, well-being and social interaction.
„Ubiquitous computing is roughly the opposite of virtual reality. Where virtual reality puts people inside a computer-generated world, ubiquitous computing forces the computer to live out here in the world with people. Virtual reality is primarily a horse power problem; ubiquitous computing is a very difficult integration of human factors, computer science, engineering, and social sciences“
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-Mark Weiser2
Example
Integrating Calm Technology into everyday objects can often work with minimal changes in their communication or behaviour. This is perfectly illustrated by the kettle and toaster in the „Wake Up Happy“ case study by YOUMEUS Design.
Here, instead of a digital beep, the kettle uses the pressure of the boiling water to create the sound of a bird chirping to let you know the water is ready. The toaster, on the other hand, uses behaviour instead of sound to communicate. It is activated by rocking it to the side and when finished, it rocks back to its original position. This change in appearance allows the toaster to remain in our periphery until it is ready, and then it can be easily noticed without being demanding.3
Guiding Questions
// What is Calm Technology ?
// How can Calm Technology provide or create ways of interacting with the intangible ?
// How does Calm Technology access and materialise digital ?
// How can Calm Technology be integrated into our daily lives to enhance the human experience ?
// Where can Calm Technology be integrated & add value ?
// Can Calm Technology fight the overwhelming & fear of technology ?
// Can Calm Technology improve the relationship between user & product ?
Roadmap
// Researching an overview & basic understanding of Calm Technology
// Exploration of the principles of calm technology
// Identifying where the opportunities lie for Calm Technology
// Analysis of examples of the application of Calm Technology principles in products:
_Wake Up Happy, YOUMEUSDESIGN4
_Little Signals, Google5
_Audio Products, teenage engineering6
_…
Resources
