Emergent boundary objects and boundary zones in collaborative design research projects

Abstract

This paper examines how the dynamics between design and research interests shape and influence the development of design concepts in collaborative design projects. We introduce the concepts of boundary zones and emergent boundary objects in order to account for how different project stakeholders align their interests and move towards shared project goals. Though the study is of a specific case, namely the collaboration between interaction design researchers and architects to develop interactive com-ponents in a new metro station, we show how the concepts of boundary zones and emergent boundary objects can support the articulation and analysis of the way that design concepts emerge and are shaped through ongoing negotiations and reifications.