Setting the Stage for Responsible Design

Abstract

Designers have responsibility by the very nature of their activities; bringing new products and services into the world of the user. Recently there is also raising interest in specifically addressing social issues by deliberate design interventions. Within the University of Twente, we strive to shape this responsibility in the context of the design of Human-Technology Relations, combining human-technology interaction with scenario-based, user-oriented product design. The research groups associated with design have each developed their own perspective on how to implement this responsibility in design research and practice. Three different design strands, each of which are strengthened with methods and tools. Although these three strands can support responsible design, they also have their limitations. In this paper we describe how we broadened the three research strands into a multidisciplinary research agenda through a workshop with a diverse group of participants. Providing the stage for a “Twente School” in responsible design.