by mert.altinoez -

Impulse #08 – Coachings And Talks

Over the past few days, I’ve had some really insightful coaching sessions and discussions. While not all of them were directly related to my master’s thesis, they still provided valuable input and inspiration. I had the chance to speak with Birgit Bachler, Horst Hörtner, and Martin Kaltenbrunner, each offering a unique perspective that helped shape my thinking and approach.

Conversation with Birgit Bachler

I reached out to Birgit to ask if she would be willing to supervise my master’s thesis. We’ve had classes with her since the second semester, and I really enjoyed them. Through those courses, I realized that she’s deeply engaged in sustainable and regenerative design, which aligns well with my thesis topic. Besides that, I appreciate her approach and personality, which made me feel comfortable approaching her. Our discussion was really encouraging. She gave me useful feedback on my initial ideas, shared some valuable resources and references, and even introduced me to some of her personal projects, which we discussed in relation to my own work. She also recommended checking out „The Critical Engineering Working Group“, which I’d also suggest to anyone interested in this field. Another key takeaway from our conversation was about the scope of my thesis. I had initially assumed it would need to be much broader, but Birgit reassured me that it could be more focused. Overall, it was a great talk that left me feeling more confident about my direction.

Discussion with Horst Hörtner

My conversation with Horst was particularly thought-provoking. While it wasn’t solely focused on my thesis, we discussed my portfolio and future career prospects. He shared insights on interactive art installations and reassured me that there are plenty of opportunities in this field. That was really motivating and reinforced my idea of creating an interactive and educational installation. Beyond that, he gave me advice on breaking into the industry and recommended some studios, including „Studio Brückner“. This mention was especially eye-opening for me because it brought things full circle, I actually had classes with Uwe Brückner during my bachelor’s! I even remember him encouraging us to reach out for internships and opportunities, so this felt like an interesting connection I should explore further.

Talk with Martin Kaltenbrunner

My discussion with Martin Kaltenbrunner focused on tangible interaction and digital sustainability, both of which are key aspects of my research. His expertise provided me with a fresh perspective on how to make my project more impactful. He challenged some of my initial assumptions and encouraged me to consider alternative approaches. One of the most important insights he shared was that I don’t necessarily need to focus on just one aspect of digital sustainability. Instead, I could develop several smaller workpieces, each addressing different aspects of the topic, which I’m now seriously considering! This conversation gave me a lot to think about, and I’m excited to explore these ideas further.

Final Thoughts

Overall, these coaching sessions have been incredibly valuable. Each conversation contributed something unique, whether it was guidance on my thesis, new perspectives on my field, or a deeper understanding of key topics. I’m really grateful for the time and expertise that Birgit, Horst, and Martin shared with me. Their insights have given me fresh motivation and clarity as I move forward.

Links

The Critical Engineering Working Group: https://criticalengineering.org/

Studio Brückner: https://studio-uwe-brueckner.com/

Julian Oliver: https://julianoliver.com/

by mert.altinoez -

Impulse #07: CoSA

Today, I visited the Centre of Science Activities (CoSA) in Graz. CoSA is an interactive science and technology center designed primarily for young people aged 12 and older. It features 13 themed areas where visitors can explore different scientific fields in a hands-on way. For example, the Science section allows visitors to experiment with scientific phenomena, while Vision focuses on future technologies. The space I want to talk about today, though, is Energy.

In Energy, visitors engage with topics like consumption and sustainability in a playful and interactive way. Using a special game token, they can navigate through seven different stations covering energy, mobility, smartphones, clothing, packaging, food, and leisure. Each station presents sustainability-related challenges, encouraging visitors to reflect on their actions, set priorities, and understand the broader impact of their choices. The exhibition also connects personal behavior to global issues, such as the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. One of the more engaging aspects is that visitors can compare their decisions with others and see who invests more „energy“ into sustainable living.

What I really liked about this space was the gamified experience. It’s not just about absorbing information but actively engaging with it. Visitors learn general concepts about sustainability while also getting a personalized sense of how eco-friendly their everyday choices are. Each station has a unique way of interacting based on its subtopic. For example, in the Energy section, visitors have to crank a handle to play a video and then plug a cable into a power socket to select an answer. In Mobility, visitors power up a screen by riding a stationary bike. The Smartphone station is a modular system where visitors can choose different phone components and see how sustainable their selections are. The Clothing section features various garments with different sustainability ratings, which visitors can scan to learn more about their environmental impact. Some sections were more interactive than others. The Packaging area, for instance, wasn’t as hands-on but had a visually impressive setup with a large screen and a shopping cart in front of it. The Food station was creative, using stove switches to turn on videos that played inside pots, though the placement of the screens required visitors to crouch down to see them properly. The Leisure station, on the other hand, was styled like an arcade machine featuring a game of Snake to illustrate its message.

This visit gave me some valuable takeaways that I hope to incorporate into my master’s project. My goal is to create an interactive experience that teaches people about digital sustainability, much like CoSA does. One key insight is that you shouldn’t expect too much from visitors. There should be no more than two to three interactions per station, and they must be intuitive and quick to engage with. People generally want to explore, try something out, and move on without too much effort or explanation. However, if the experience is immersive enough, they tend to stay longer. Another important consideration is creating an environment that helps visitors focus. Isolating them from external distractions could enhance immersion and engagement. Lastly, the setup should be as self-sufficient as possible. The interactive elements should work seamlessly without requiring constant supervision, explanation, or maintenance. These are crucial lessons that I plan to apply in my upcoming work. Overall, CoSA’s Energy exhibition was an inspiring example of how to make sustainability education both fun and impactful. I left with a lot of ideas and a renewed appreciation for well-designed interactive experiences.

CoSA Energy Space
Links

CoSA: https://www.museum-joanneum.at/cosa-graz

by mert.altinoez -

Impulse #6 – Videocall with Martin, digital-liechtenstein.li

As you may already know, digital-liechtenstein.li is supporting me during my master’s thesis, and I’ve been in regular contact with Martin via email since last summer. Last week, we decided it was time for a videocall to discuss the current state of affairs. On Wednesday, we had a one-hour meeting via Teams.

For those unfamiliar, the location initiative digital-liechtenstein.li has been actively driving Liechtenstein’s digital transformation since 2017. Backed by over 55 companies and organizations from business, science, and politics, it serves as a central platform for innovation, knowledge exchange, and networking. Under the patronage of the Princely House and the government, the initiative supports Liechtenstein’s digital transformation through projects, events, and public relations. Its key projects include the Cybersecurity Check Platform, an IT job portal, educational initiatives, and the promotion of future skills. With the Digital Roadmap 2030, published in December 2023, digital-liechtenstein.li has set clear goals and measures for further developing Liechtenstein as a digital hub. By connecting companies, academic institutions, and government organizations, the initiative plays a vital role in shaping Liechtenstein’s digital future.

While digital sustainability is mentioned in the Digital Roadmap 2030, digital-liechtenstein.li lacks expertise in this area and does not yet offer actionable recommendations for its partners. This is one of the reasons why they partnered with me. I benefit greatly from this collaboration, as it gives me access to their network and the prestige they hold within Liechtenstein’s economy. They can connect me with their partners, such as Hilti, LGT, and Thyssenkrupp, who have experts in digital sustainability. At the same time, I have complete freedom to define the scope of my master’s thesis, as long as I provide valuable insights on the topic that they can share with their partners and network.

The main goal of our videocall was to exchange updates on our progress. One of the most important topics we discussed was the survey I created in November, which focused on digital sustainability in companies within Liechtenstein. The survey aimed to assess companies’ interest in the topic, their existing knowledge, and the actions they’ve already taken. Unfortunately, despite digital-liechtenstein.li sharing the survey with around 80 partner organizations, the results were disappointing—we only received 8 responses, which means I cannot use the survey data for my master’s thesis.

Nevertheless, the responses did provide some interesting insights. Based on the low participation rate, I assume that digital sustainability is not a priority for most companies. Additionally, the results revealed that while most organizations are aware of digital sustainability, they haven’t taken significant steps to address it. Companies showed more interest in the topic when they understood its direct benefits and expressed a need for expert-led workshops and consultations. As expected, many organizations are unaware of the impact designers can have when incorporating digital sustainability principles into daily operations and product development methods.

Martin suggested distributing the survey more widely, beyond their partner network, but I feel that this might not be necessary at this point.

During the call, we also discussed the direction of my master’s thesis. I asked Martin if they had any specific needs, but he confirmed that they are open to any insights I can provide. We agreed that I would take a funnel approach, starting broadly and then narrowing down to a specific aspect of digital sustainability. This approach works well for me, as I’m still deciding which focus area to prioritize. Martin also mentioned that I could explore raising awareness about the topic or providing tools and methods for implementing digital sustainability within design processes.

In conclusion, this videocall with Martin was highly productive. It clarified the scope of my thesis and reassured me that I have the freedom to shape my research according to my strengths and interests. Moving forward, I aim to create actionable insights that not only benefit digital-liechtenstein.li and its partners but also contribute meaningfully to the conversation on digital sustainability in the region. This collaboration is an exciting opportunity to bridge the gap between academia and industry while advancing an important and timely topic.

Links

digital-liechtenstein.li: https://digital-liechtenstein.li/

by mert.altinoez -

Impulse #5 – Technisches Museum Wien

On November 30th, I visited the Technisches Museum Wien with Bensu and explored its various exhibitions. Surprisingly, many of the displays were connected to digital sustainability. Here are some of the impressions from our visit.

Medien.Welten

The Medien.Welten exhibition traces the development of media since the early modern age, featuring communication and storage media like postal services, printing, photography, film, radio, computers, and the internet. It illustrates how early communication systems evolved into a global telecommunications network and how media document and influence life, including the misuse of media power in dictatorships.

The evolution of media was fascinating to observe, but one station particularly stood out for me: the media station. It offered a variety of hands-on experiences and opportunities to learn. One station focused on fake news, featuring a quiz where participants had to distinguish between fake news and facts. This was incredibly relevant, as it highlighted the growing significance of fake news and its dangers to society and democracy.

Another station demonstrated the power of big data. Visitors answered a series of questions, and the computer attempted to determine the user’s gender based on the responses. While the result for me was incorrect, it was eye-opening to see how much can be inferred from basic data inputs.

A third station explored the risks of artificial intelligence (AI) in autonomous vehicles. It presented a dilemma where the AI had to decide whom to sacrifice in an unavoidable accident: an elderly couple walking on the sidewalk, a child running into the street, or a cyclist riding along the road. This raised critical ethical questions about whether AI should be allowed to make such decisions independently.

Klima. Wissen. Handeln.

The Klima. Wissen. Handeln! exhibition, spanning 600 m², presents key facts about the climate crisis alongside vivid examples and multimedia stations. It explains the impacts of human activities, such as shrinking glaciers and environmental destruction, while offering actionable solutions to mitigate climate change.

Two highlights of this exhibition were an interactive map and a climate challenge wheel. The 3D map, projected onto the floor, displayed dynamic animations and data, which visitors could interact with. The visuals were stunning, and the interactive element made it even more engaging. I’ll admit, I focused more on the animations than the actual information!

The climate challenge wheel, however, was an excellent call to action. After spinning the wheel, visitors drew a card with a specific challenge to complete. The postcard-sized cards were visually appealing and easy to take home, encouraging visitors to reflect on climate issues even after leaving the exhibition.

Energiewende

The Energiewende exhibition highlights the role of energy in modern society and the pressing need for a sustainable energy transition to address the climate crisis. Across five levels, it examines the impacts of fossil fuels, innovative technologies, and solutions for a carbon-neutral future. Interactive stations allow visitors to experiment with measures and understand their consequences. The exhibition concludes with “Good News from the Future,” a hopeful vision of a sustainable world achieved through decisive action today.

For me, Energiewende was the most impactful exhibition. I was thrilled to see digital sustainability explicitly addressed. Many stations presented aspects of digital sustainability and other energy transition themes through beautifully designed infographics and interactive experiences.

One memorable station featured an interactive data visualization tool with simple sliders that allowed visitors to explore what actions need to be taken, and to what extent, to meet the Paris Agreement targets. Another station showed how long one would need to pedal a bike to generate enough energy to send a single photo via email. This exhibit was particularly striking, as it effectively demonstrated the significant energy consumption of digital activities and services with minimal effort.

Learnings

  • Interactive Education: Engaging tools like the interactive map and data visualization sliders show how interactive design can simplify complex topics, fostering awareness and understanding.
  • Gamified Learning: Playful elements like the climate challenge wheel illustrate how gamification motivates sustainable behavior, extending impact beyond the exhibition itself.
  • Ethics in Digital Systems: The stations on big data and AI underscore the importance of integrating ethical considerations and energy-conscious practices into digital system design.

Links

Medien.Welten: https://www.technischesmuseum.at/ausstellung/medienwelten

Klima. Wissen. Handeln.: https://www.technischesmuseum.at/ausstellung/klima_wissen_handeln

Energiewende: https://www.technischesmuseum.at/ausstellung/energiewende

by mert.altinoez -

Impulse #4 – SUX-Podcast EP15 „A Fossil-Free Internet by 2030“ with Hannah Smith

In the SUX Podcast Episode 15, titled “A Fossil-Free Internet by 2030,” Hannah Smith shared her insights on sustainability and the crucial role of rethinking our digital practices.

Understanding Sustainability

Hannah defines sustainability as meeting today’s needs while ensuring there’s enough left for future generations. This definition goes beyond environmental concerns, emphasizing personal and societal endurance. It’s about a balanced approach, acknowledging that perfection isn’t possible but striving for incremental improvements.

This idea resonates deeply with the challenges of implementing the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Every action has trade-offs: improving one area often comes at a cost in another. Progress lies in collective effort, finding a balance that optimizes outcomes for all stakeholders.

The Mission for a Fossil-Free Internet

The Green Web Foundation, where Hannah works, aims to achieve a fossil-free internet by 2030. They offer tools like the Green Web Check service, which identifies whether a website is hosted by a provider using renewable energy, and CO2.JS, a toolkit for measuring carbon emissions in tech. Their mission highlights the tangible steps individuals and organizations can take to reduce their digital carbon footprint. Despite these efforts, the internet remains far from being fossil-free. 

Awareness is critical. Many people wrongly assume that digital services operate in an intangible “cloud,” when in reality, they depend on physical infrastructure with significant environmental impacts. Hannah emphasizes that we need to reduce reliance on tech, scaling down digital infrastructure alongside improving efficiency. This approach recognizes that innovation alone cannot solve this problem, some actions require scaling back consumption entirely.

Global Inequalities in Digital Consumption

One of the podcast’s most striking revelations is the disparity between tech consumption in the global north and south. The global north’s overconsumption of AI and other technologies often exploits resources and labor from less-developed regions. For instance, moderators in developing countries endure traumatic tasks, such as filtering harmful content, to ensure safe user experiences elsewhere.

This imbalance highlights the ethical dimension of digital sustainability. Addressing these inequities involves recognizing the hidden human costs behind the “magic” of digital services and finding ways to reduce exploitation while meeting the true needs of all communities.

The Power of Stories and Creativity

Hannah argues that stories play a crucial role in shaping perspectives on the internet and sustainability. Whether real or imaginative, stories can inspire action and help envision a better digital future. She cautions, however, that technologies like AI threaten human creativity by encouraging over-reliance on machines for imaginative tasks.

If left unchecked, this trend could erode the skills and creativity of future generations. While AI offers short-term productivity gains, it risks undermining long-term societal efficiency by removing opportunities to learn foundational skills. A sustainable digital future must prioritize human creativity and imagination.

Actionable Steps Toward Digital Sustainability

So, how can individuals contribute to digital sustainability? Hannah provides practical suggestions:

  • Embrace Longevity: Use tech devices for as long as possible and resist the urge to upgrade unnecessarily.
  • Slow Down: Avoid rushing into adopting new technologies. Instead, take the time to evaluate their impact.
  • Bake in Accessibility: Ensure tech products are accessible to as many people as possible, prioritizing inclusivity over novelty.
  • Start Conversations: Discuss digital sustainability within your social circles and beyond, spreading awareness about the physical and social costs of digital infrastructure.
  • Reassess AI Use: Consider whether AI is necessary for specific tasks or if a human touch could provide more value.

Lessons Learned

From Hannah’s discussion, here are three key lessons about digital sustainability:

  • Perfection Isn’t the Goal, Progress Is: Achieving sustainability isn’t about flawless solutions but about making small, meaningful changes that collectively drive improvement.
  • Digital Has a Physical Cost: The internet’s environmental impact isn’t limited to energy consumption, it includes the resource-intensive production of tech infrastructure. Awareness of this connection is foundational to change.
  • Equity Matters: True sustainability must address global inequalities in digital consumption and labor. Without considering these disparities, progress will remain incomplete.
Links

The Podcast: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/suxpodcast/episodes/SUX-EP-15—A-fossil-free-Internet-by-2030-with-Hannah-Smith-e2k5e7c/a-aba96i5

SUX: https://sustainableuxnetwork.com

The Green Web Foundation: https://www.thegreenwebfoundation.org

Branch Magazine: https://branch.climateaction.tech

by mert.altinoez -

Impulse #3 – Wall-E & Blade Runner 2049

Last weekend, I watched Wall-E and Blade Runner 2049. Though they belong to different genres and tones, both explore the consequences of unsustainable systems, offering interesting parallels to the digital challenges we face today. In a world where digital waste is invisible but increasingly impactful, these movies shine a light on the kind of futures we might be heading toward to.

Wall-E

At first, Wall-E seems to be a simple story about a robot cleaning up a trash-covered Earth. But beneath the surface, it’s a powerful critique of consumerism, overproduction, and environmental destruction. This critique translates surprisingly well to the digital world. In Wall-E, Earth has become a barren wasteland, buried under mountains of trash. While the film focuses on physical waste, it’s impossible not to see parallels in the digital sphere. Think of the gigabytes of “data trash” we generate daily, duplicated files, outdated apps, and inefficient systems that clog servers and guzzle energy.

Wall-E himself is a model of simplicity and durability: he’s designed to be repaired, reused, and adapted. Compare that to many digital tools today, which prioritize quick fixes and constant updates over long-term efficiency. A sustainable approach to (Interaction) Design could take inspiration from Wall-E’s ethos by:

  • Designing leaner systems with minimal resource demands.
  • Promoting modular, repairable software rather than disposable updates.
  • Ensuring digital experiences have clear, purposeful functionality to reduce unnecessary consumption.

Blade Runner 2049

Blade Runner 2049, on the other hand, portrays a highly technological yet deeply alienated world. Artificial intelligences like Joi, illustrate how technology can replace human relationships. At the same time, the film highlights the dark side of technological progress: environmental destruction, social inequality, and constant surveillance. If Wall-E warns us about the environmental cost of waste, Blade Runner 2049 takes a closer look at the social cost of unchecked technological development. A world where technology serves corporate greed rather than human needs.

One of the most haunting elements in Blade Runner 2049 is Joi, a digital companion designed to provide comfort and connection. Yet, her purpose is rooted in consumerism, not genuine care. It made me think: How can we design systems that empower users without exploiting them?

  • Ethical interfaces: Instead of building systems that drive addictive behavior, we should focus on designs that encourage mindful interaction.
  • Energy-efficient AI: Like Joi, AI-driven systems are becoming central to digital services. But their carbon footprint is massive. Efficient training and deployment processes could make them more sustainable.
  • Transparency in design: Users should understand how and why technology works for them and how much energy it consumes.

The hugh, resource-intensive cityscapes of Blade Runner 2049 are also a stark reminder of the environmental consequences of overdevelopment. The film pushes me to think critically about how we can design for balance instead of unchecked growth.

Lessons Learned

What connects these two films is their stark vision of the consequences of neglecting sustainability, whether environmental or social. As a designer, I see three critical takeaways:

  • Simplicity saves resources: Like Wall-E, our designs should strive for durability, efficiency, and minimalism.
  • Empathy in tech matters: Joi’s example teaches us that technology must respect and support users rather than exploit them.
  • Responsibility at scale: Both films highlight the impact of systemic decisions. As designers, we have a unique opportunity to shape systems used by millions and make sustainability a foundational part of that impact.

Watching these films back-to-back reaffirmed my belief that digital sustainability is as much about people as it is about technology. The choices we make in Interaction Design, whether it’s optimizing code, improving accessibility, or creating ethical AI can ripple out to transform entire ecosystems. If Wall-E taught me the value of efficiency and resilience, and Blade Runner 2049 the dangers of alienation, my hope is to apply both lessons to designing digital futures worth living in. Let’s not just imagine better worlds, let’s design them.

Links

Wall-E Trailer: https://youtu.be/alIq_wG9FNk?si=pSYy6B-5ipk2UzuX

Blade Runner 2049 Trailer: https://youtu.be/gCcx85zbxz4?si=d7mosqM8CeagF29f

by mert.altinoez -

Impulse #2 – SUX-Podcast EP13 – „Changing design towards a better world“ with Don Norman

The conversation around design and sustainability is evolving, especially with thought leaders like Don Norman challenging traditional ideas. In the SUX-Podcast EP13 – “Changing design towards a better world” Norman addresses how design can pivot to make a more profound impact on both society and the planet.

Curiosity as a Driver of Innovation

Norman opens with a compelling call to embrace curiosity, stating that “a lot of creativity comes from curiosity.” This mindset shift is essential for designers, especially in the context of sustainability, because it encourages them to question established norms and explore unconventional solutions. Curiosity leads designers to explore, question, and test new ideas—a critical approach in a world where conventional methods may no longer be sufficient.

Redefining “Sustainability”

One of the most thought-provoking points Norman raises is about the term “sustainability” itself. According to him, the term is now outdated because it implies maintaining the status quo, which is no longer enough given today’s environmental challenges. In its original context, sustainability aimed to prevent things from worsening. However, “sustaining” harmful systems is counterproductive. For example, sustaining high levels of pollution or non-recyclable product design perpetuates the very problems sustainability once sought to avoid.

Humanity-Centered Design: Beyond Humans Alone

Norman’s concept of “Humanity-Centered Design” (HCD) is a shift from focusing solely on human convenience to a more inclusive approach. Humanity-centered design, as he explains, encompasses not only humans but all living things and the entire environment that impacts us. By broadening the focus, designers are encouraged to think about how their creations affect all life, including flora, fauna, and natural ecosystems. HCD reminds us that truly “human-centered” solutions also safeguard the well-being of the natural world that supports human life.

Flawed Assumptions in Traditional Economic Solutions

Norman critiques the economic principles often used to approach sustainability, stating that they’re based on flawed assumptions about human behavior. Economists often view people as logical actors who make sensible choices, but Norman emphasizes that people are not purely logical. This disconnect can lead to ineffective strategies that do not resonate with real human behavior. For example, a digital sustainability approach may assume users will minimize energy use for economic reasons, yet many do not unless prompted by design. Understanding human unpredictability can help designers create solutions that fit real-world habits, such as software that automatically shifts to energy-saving modes or apps that encourage sustainable habits through subtle prompts.

The Role of Designers and the Need for Empowerment

Designers, Norman argues, often lack decision-making power and are constrained by client demands or executive decisions. He points out that while engineers frequently rise to executive positions by pursuing additional qualifications, designers rarely take this route. Norman challenges designers to pursue leadership roles actively so they can advocate for sustainable practices at decision-making levels. By taking on responsibilities that go beyond traditional design roles, designers can gain the influence needed to make a difference.

Designers as Integrators of Knowledge

Norman views designers not as content specialists but as methodical thinkers who can tackle a wide variety of problems. He describes designers as generalists who can bridge gaps between specialties, bringing together insights from environmental science, economics, engineering, and more. Designers’ integrative skills allow them to assemble these diverse elements into cohesive, sustainable solutions.

Lessons Learned

  • Embrace Curiosity: A sustainable design approach thrives on a curious mindset. By questioning current practices, designers can uncover new methods and technologies that reduce environmental impact.
  • Reimagine Sustainability: Go beyond maintaining the status quo. Digital sustainability efforts should aim for positive environmental impacts, such as reducing resource use or creating longer-lasting products.
  • Adopt a Humanity-Centered Design Approach: Consider the broader ecosystem in design choices. Digital tools, for instance, should prioritize low energy consumption, minimal waste, and non-toxic materials.
  • Challenge Economic Assumptions: Recognize that user behavior is not always logical. Effective sustainable design aligns with real-world habits, encouraging users to adopt eco-friendly practices in ways that feel natural.
  • Take on Leadership Roles: Designers have unique problem-solving skills but need to pursue leadership opportunities to effect change. By influencing decision-making, they can prioritize sustainability in digital innovation.
Links

The Podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/suxpodcast/episodes/SUX-EP-13—Changing-design-towards-a-better-world-with-Don-Norman-e2gococ

SUX: https://sustainableuxnetwork.com

Don Norman. Design for a Better World: https://jnd.org/books/design-for-a-better-world/

by mert.altinoez -

Impulse #01 – World Usability Congress

From October 14th to 17th, the World Usability Congress was once again held in Graz, and we, the Interaction Design Master’s students from FH Joanneum, had the opportunity to attend on October 16th and 17th. It was my second time at the conference, and I was all the more excited to see familiar faces again, even if it was just DJ Mama Feelgood, a UX employee from Aldi Süd, and speaker as well as digital sustainability expert Thorsten Jonas. As in previous years, I enjoyed not only the good food but also took away many valuable insights from these two days, which I’d now like to share with you.

Before the conference even began, I was pleased to see that accessibility and inclusivity would be major topics this year, with many talks dedicated to these themes. As mentioned in previous blog posts, both accessibility and inclusivity are aspects of digital sustainability, which is the focus of my blog posts and my Master’s thesis. Therefore, I will mainly share insights from these specific talks.

Incluthon (Stefan Barac, Gerhard Kühne & Claudio Zeni)

The first talk I want to cover is Incluthon, with speakers Stefan Barac, Gerhard Kühne, and Claudio Zeni. Although there were some technical hiccups during the presentation, the speakers’ solution to these challenges was all the more likable. The talk focused on accessibility, with an emphasis on visually impaired and blind people. While Stefan and Gerhard discussed hard facts, Claudio offered a glimpse into his life as a blind person, showing us how he planned and booked his journey from Bern to Graz using his smartphone. Key takeaways from this talk included the fact that 27% of Swiss people require accessibility support. As designers, we should remove all unnecessary elements and information and constantly ask ourselves, “Can someone navigate this website, app, etc., without sight?” It was also interesting to learn that Apple’s iPhone is the most popular among visually impaired and blind individuals due to its accessible design, which remains consistent across versions and models, unlike Android.

Accessibility-First Approach to Data Visualization (Kent Eisenhuth)

Kent, a UX lead designer at Google, gave an impressive talk on accessible data visualization, which I’d also like to highlight. Here are some of my main learnings: as designers, we should occasionally go outside and closely observe nature, as it provides the best inspiration. To create the most accessible design, a diverse team that includes individuals using assistive technologies should be assembled. Moreover, accessibility should be the primary focus, followed by design enhancements. It’s also crucial to ensure navigation using alternative keys and shortcuts works effectively. Using logical hierarchies is key—starting with networks, then groups, and finally individual information. Visually, designers should avoid fixating on a single solution; if, for instance, charts don’t work, switch to tables or alternative storytelling methods to present data and information. One particularly intriguing example was data sonification, a new and lesser-known concept that hadn’t previously caught my attention.

Websites and Apps for Everybody – Making Accessibility Easy (Mari-Ell Mets)

The last talk I want to discuss is by Mari-Ell Mets from Estonia. She also addressed internet accessibility, highlighting both the EAA (European Accessibility Act) and presenting 10 rules that can eliminate 80% of internet barriers. She began her talk with an interesting fact: 25% of Europeans have specific needs that we must consider when designing digital products to avoid exclusion. I won’t cover the EU regulations since they are readily available online; instead, I’ll present the 10 rules.

  1. No moving content. No autoplay (or add stop button)
  2. Contrasted color with 4,5:1 for regular text and 3:1 for bold text. Don’t put text over an image.
  3. Adapt to user’s settings and don’t use pixel values in code
  4. Support keyboard navigation and use native / semantic elements
  5. Make focus point visible for keyboard navigation
  6. Specify the language in the code
  7. Visuals and the code must be connected
  8. Use ARIA attributes and mark visible states and values in code
  9. Use clear alt. text for visuals like images and icons
  10. Write clear error messages 

Additionally: don’t use accessibility overlay plug-ins!

The World Usability Conference was inspiring, with a strong focus on accessibility and inclusivity—key themes in my Master’s thesis on digital sustainability. Claudio Zeni’s smartphone navigation as a blind user underscored the need for simplified, functional design, while learning about the iPhone’s popularity among blind users emphasized consistent usability. Kent’s “accessibility-first” approach and insights on diverse teams and data sonification broadened my perspective on accessible design. Mari-Ell’s practical guidelines for EU accessibility standards, from color contrast to keyboard navigation, were invaluable, emphasizing simplicity and user-centered code and visuals.

These sessions deepened my commitment to accessible design and provided practical guidelines to incorporate directly into my future work.

Links

World Usability Congress: https://worldusabilitycongress.com
European Accessibility Act: https://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=1202
Material Design Accessibility: https://m2.material.io/design/usability/accessibility.html#understanding-accessibility

by mert.altinoez -

21 | Evaluation of master’s thesis

Author: Maria Højgaard
Title: Digital sustainability in services. A study of practices and challenges when designing sustainable digital services.
Publication year: 2022
Institution: Aalborg University Copenhagen, Denmark
Study program: Service Systems Design

Level of design 
The thesis design does not seem to be a primary focus for Højgaard. The layout is straightforward, using a sans-serif font, which maintains readability but lacks visual flair. The cover page, along with a title page for each main section, keeps the presentation functional rather than engaging. The visual hierarchy is clear but basic. 
The workpiece is a digital sustainability framework, consisting of one page. The design has technical flair and is understandable, but the overall design could be improved, for example with custom icons or icons with the same style. 

Degree of innovation 
The framework itself, a one-page digital sustainability framework, comes across as straightforward and serves the intended audience well, focusing on usability rather than experimental design. While the framework is practical, using a static format, Højgaard could have considered a more interactive approach. Although the non-interactive format fits the needs of IT departments and department managers, exploring dynamic or interactive elements could have added a layer of innovation and appeal. 

Independence
Højgaard took an independent approach to both her research and her methods. She selected four specific companies, each providing unique insights, and built original personas and stakeholder maps based on these case studies. The combination of service design principles and social practice theory shows that she developed a largely original approach to understanding digital sustainability.

Outline and structure 
The structure of Højgaard’s thesis is well organized, with a logical progression through each section. Beginning with an abstract and continuing through chapters on literature, methodology, and findings, each part follows a clear path that supports understanding. Overall, the thematic arrangement works well.

Degree of communication
The explanations throughout the thesis are generally clear and informative, with minimal jargon that could hinder understanding. Højgaard’s intentions are consistently recognizable, and she effectively communicates her objectives, though certain sections could benefit from clearer language for those less familiar with service design or digital sustainability. 

Scope of the work
The thesis is appropriate in scope for a master’s project, covering a solid literature base and an empirical study. The depth of her research and the original framework meet the academic requirements a master’s thesis.

Orthography and accuracy
Orthographically, the thesis is accurate, with only minor errors if any (she forgot a “(“ on page 8 while citing from a book). Terminology is used appropriately and consistently across the work, and the writing is largely professional.

Literature
Højgaard has used a solid foundation of literature, referencing core theories and modern studies within both service design and green IT.

Source: https://vbn.aau.dk/ws/files/473082058/Maria_Hojgaard_thesis_2022_process_report.pdf