Proceedings of OZCHI 2005, Canberra, Australia. November 23 - 25, 2005. Copyright the author(s) and CHISIG
THE SECRET LIFE OF DOMESTIC OBJECTS
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Youngmi Choi 1,2 Steve Howard 2,3 and Bharat Dave 1 Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning, The University of Melbourne 2 Department of Information Systems, The University of Melbourne 3 Department of Computer Science, Aalborg University
ABSTRACT We report the results of a pilot study examining significant domestic objects, and the associated user experience. We propose a conceptual framework capturing three types of user-modified functionalities. We used the framework as a lens through which to view the relationship between user activities and user-modified functionalities. Our findings indicate that modified functionalities result in attracting both objects and personal activities to the surrounding area. Significant objects with modified functionalities seem to help users create a private ‘space’ within the ‘place’ of home that can fulfil or accommodate their personal ritual activities and habitual tendencies. We conclude by speculating that such user-modified functions are early indicators of opportunities for technical innovation.
KEYWORDS: Domestic Objects, User Study, Functionality, Pervasive Computing, Home, Deign, Neighbouring objects
1. UNDERSTANDING DOMESTIC LIFE THROUGH DOMESTIC OBJECTS Gathering momentum amongst HCI researchers is an interest in homes and their inhabitants, especially as related to surfacing some of the unique qualities of the domestic space for technical innovation (Dewsbury, 2004; Harper, 2003; Hindus, 1999). The home environment and its ‘inhabitants’ (‘users’ is too restrictive a term when applied to something so personal) activities, however, have not yet been understood in a holistic manner. Some exceptional studies have appeared, ranging from the diffusion of domestic technologies (Silverstone & Hirsch, 1992; Venkatesh, 1996) to the social and cultural meanings of the home (Marcus, 1995). For our purposes two recent developments are of particular interest. Firstly, explorations of the routine nature of domestic activity (Baillie & Benyon, 2001; A. Crabtree, Hemmings, & Mariani, 2003; A Crabtree & Rodden, 2002), and secondly studies of single objects or singular functionalities of domestic objects (A Crabtree & Rodden, 2002; Eronen, 2002; Hindus, Mainwaring, Leduc, Hagstrom, & Bayley, 2001; Kember et al., 2002; Ruohomaa, 1997). We take this work as a useful point of departure in focussing both on objects in the context of other objects, and also in considering the multiple purposes to which domestic objects are put. Previous studies of domestic routines and singular functionalities fall short in informing technical innovation for two main reasons. Firstly, a strong focus on understanding routine activity, though important, risks missing the reactive and adaptive nature of use. For example the introduction of the VCR enabled users to rearrange or change radically their routine activities at home- to stretch and distort time. Secondly, highly personal domestic objects may have a multi-dimensional relationship with their owners, and perform ‘multiple functions’, functions that grow from the user’s experience and extend the object beyond its original given roles. The roles played by domestic objects can be heavily influenced by users due in part to the complex social and physical settings of use; use that is rooted in personal and family rituals and defined by powerful emotional attachment. Here we report early results of an in-situ study of domestic objects and their use. Our interests rest largely with the active nature of use - the adaptations that happen to domestic objects once they leave the designers’ hands. Our longer-term goal is to provide a use-centred approach to embedding computational power into everyday objects. The next section outlines the study. Section three introduces a pilot study conducted to build the conceptual framework, which is also illustrated. Section four introduces the Additional copies are available at the ACM Digital Library (http://portal.acm.org/dl.cfm) or ordered from the CHISIG secretary (
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findings of one case study from the fieldwork. The final section considers some implications and next steps.
2. ABOUT THE STUDY We conducted a contextual study of user life at home, aiming to uncover the multiple purposes inherent in the use of significant domestic objects. We asked: •
What are the significant objects at home and what functions do they perform?
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What influences domestic objects to ‘collect’ multiple functionalities?
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How do multiple functionalities influence the lives of domestic users?
As part of a larger qualitative study, two initial pilot studies were conducted to establish and verify the conceptual framework, and this paper reports the findings. The first study investigated the case of one blue dish by one of the researchers introduced in Section 3. Based on observation and photography, this study aimed to capture the history of the dish’s functional changes. The functional changes of the blue dish was recorded with an intention to build a preliminary conceptual framework for further investigation of the use of significant home objects. The second fieldwork study examined the use of domestic objects by ‘Brian’. The first study utilised the methods of a cultural biography (Kopytoff, 1986), examining the changing life of the object over time, while the second study was conducted utilising observations, photography and face-to-face contextual interviews with a couple living in a major metropolitan city. The couple was identified through word of mouth and this couple was a pilot case of fieldwork for a larger study later involving 13 participants. The interview guide was built referencing from a previous study of the ten most cherished domestic objects (Csikszentmihalyi & Rochberg-Halton, 1981). Photos of significant objects were also taken and used in the analysis.
3. THE BLUE DISH: FROM CULTURAL BIOGRAPHY TO CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK The ‘blue dish’ was a personal possession with great significance. Importantly for us it was also an object performing both the original designer given function, and various user attributed capabilities. The blue dish (photo 1, Figure 2) was given as a token of friendship to one of the researchers and was initially used as an ornament. The owner then began to use it to accommodate the things from her pocket (photo 2, Figure 2). The dish gained an additional function, as a holder for objects. The owner then gave the dish to her husband, who further changed its purpose. With time the dish became a focal point, attracting other objects in the neighbouring area, such as photos, memos and mail. The dish and its surrounding area became a symbolic place for communicating face to face (photo 4) or asynchronously (photo 3). The dynamic relationship between multiple functionalities and the creation of places for activity is a feature of our conceptual framework. Figure 1. Diverse Use of Cups at Home
Figure 2. Photos of Blue Dish (photo 1 to 4)
Significant domestic objects perform multiple functions. Somewhat arbitrarily, we distinguish between original (designer given) and transformative and metamorphosed (user given) roles. With the results of the pilot study, the conceptual framework is established describing the life cycles associated with domestic objects (See Figure 3). Figure three reveals that the significant domestic objects could go through up to three different types of functional transformations. Though the figure is a useful communication device, it is important not to interpret the lifecycles as being linear or in any sense sequential. The pattern of utilisation can be complex and non-linear; objects may, in some cases, begin their relationship with users as metamorphosed or transformative. The three types of potential functionalities described in the framework includes original mode (Type I) where objects perform the role conceived and expected by the designer, transformative mode (Type II) where the functionality of objects begin to be modified by users 2
to fulfil their personal demand, and, finally, the metamorphosed mode (Type III) where the objects perform the user modified function only, totally abandoning their original function. During the Type II, transformative mode, objects may gain two added functionalities which we call secondary functions and tertiary functions. A secondary function means that the objects perform an additional role triggered by the original characteristics such as their forms, shapes and aesthetics. The tertiary function indicates that the objects perform a new role, conceived by the users to meet their needs and ways of living. The most significant aspect of this functionality is the role of information about the user and his or her relationships with others or other things. The information is embedded in the way the object is used by the users at this stage. Figure 3: Three Types of Functional Utilisation
Figure 4: Three Phases of Object Functionalities
Figure 4 illustrates the three types of functionalities potentially evoked when objects are in use. The objects in the original phase are performing the role conceived by the designer. Typically this phase includes acquaintance and early use. In the transformative phase, objects perform a personalised role, in order to meet the lifestyle needs of the user. Such ‘secondary’ roles are influenced by the given characteristics of the object, e.g. their form, shape, and aesthetics. Tertiary roles indicate that the objects perform a radically new role, conceived by the users to meet their particular ways of living. During this ‘metamorphosed’ phase, objects perform new roles, roles attributed by user. Often the original function is now abandoned and the object reaches a phase of the lifecycle in which it is ‘known’ by the inhabitants for its new function, therefore completing the metamorphosis.
4. BRIAN’S ARMCHAIR Brian, a retired businessman, was born in a farming community in regional Victoria but had to leave home to live in boarding houses by his early teens. This deprived him an opportunity to take pleasure in living in a comfortable home ‘made special’ for himself by himself. He is interested in horse racing and breeding, and gardening. Since his retired wife, Betty, was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, Brian has managed the entire household work as well as providing necessary care giving to his wife. The use of Brian’s armchair is discussed in the following section. The armchair was identified as one of the significant objects to him amongst the things in his home. The significance of the armchair to Brian was clear as it was frequently mentioned in various questions during the interview. Those questions included the place he spends most of his time at home, the place he would go to have a personal space, the place for planning (e.g. shopping and house maintenance) and entertainment, the place he uses for a substitute for his garage, and one of the domestic objects that most likely represents him. Another two important reasons for identifying Brain’s armchair as being significant are that other significant objects he mentioned were clustered around this chair and various meaningful personal activities were also conducted. As a reference, other significant objects to Brian include a radio, a small weight bar for exercising his arms & legs, a TV, a notepad and some old photos. Brian employs his rocking armchair in various interesting ways. Perhaps due in part to his childhood experiences, Brian has grown up yearning to have his own physical space. Though he is cohabiting with only his wife, he appreciates his own physical space. The recent sale of the empty block of garden space attached to his house meant the loss of a beloved and well-utilised garden shed and garage. As a replacement, Brian installed two much smaller sheds to accommodate his tools and memorabilia. Due to space limitations, he has had to dispose of some items. Unfortunately, this still did not give him enough space for the carpentry and gardening activities he was previously able to conduct indoors. Gardening and carpentry afford Brian undisturbed time for himself; he saw the rocking armchair located in his formal 3
living room as a suitable replacement for his personal space (See Figure 5). Throughout the period that included the constriction of his personal space transformative changes were seen in the way Brian used his armchair. In addition to its use as a sitting spot, to watch TV and entertaining his guests, he increasingly used the chair for various other activities that included simple exercises, checking footy scores and horse racing results from a small radio, planning for his weekly shopping. Further Brian occasionally used the armchair to purposely be left alone by his wife. At the time of this research, Brian and his wife had established a mutual understanding indicating he wants to be left alone if he comes to the formal living room and sits in the armchair. 5. Multiple Functionalities of Brian’s Rocking Arm Chair
Brian’s use of the armchair, in order to ensure his personal space, encouraged other objects to collect in the neighbouring area, e.g. a small weight for simple exercises, a radio to check the footy score and horse racing results, a notepad to jog down some thoughts. Consequently, the armchair and its surrounding area has become a space providing more comfort and convenience, and satisfying his personal rituals and habitual tendencies.
5. CONCLUDING COMMENTS Objects take on the life that is given by their owners. We have attempted to describe that life, and therefore to provide a different perspective on domestic objects as to what has been studied previously (e.g. Eronen, 2002; Hindus et al., 2001; Ruohomaa, 1997). Through examining significant objects in context, the study uncovered the fact that modified functionalities tend to attract other objects and activities to the neighbouring areas, contributing to the creation of a personal space within the space of home and thus accommodating the inhabitants' habitual tendencies and ritual activities. Also discovered is that the gap between modified functionalities and their original functions may be narrowed through the use of embedded computation. In the context of designing pervasive computing devices for the home, this provides insights into the potential for absorbing future functionalities in domestic objects. From the finding, a few avenues for design can be speculated. Taking the lessons from Brian's use of the armchair, we can contemplate embedding a wireless Internet access device to an object (a piece of furniture in this case) to better accommodate user-established entertainment and communication activities. Embedding Internet access and communication devices to the armchair can help Brian check news updates and horse racing results as well as listen to the radio programs. With an add-on intercom communication element, this armchair can also make his wife's strident talk redundant and substituted to a whisper, if she is nearby a device with the same function. Another avenue is designing a sensor and communication device in the form of a domestic object that can detect its contents or surroundings and communicate them with other devices. As seen in
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the case of the blue dish, being able to access the information about the owner's activities at home (e.g. whether s/he has returned home, read a memo or checked mails) or any significant changes within the physical range of the significant objects can assist the owners and those close to them to better co-ordinate their established habitual activities at home. As our research findings and design speculation suggest, technology design for the domestic environment can be better informed from the deeper contextual understanding of user modified functionality of the domestic objects. The account of the secret adaptive life of domestic objects reported in this paper illustrates the growing need for a deeper understanding of users beyond the traces of routine activities and present realistic design opportunities for pervasive computer devices for the home. The gap between the original functionalities and the user-modified functionalities of the domestic object, in particular, can put forward a future direction for embedding pervasive computer technologies into homes. The conceptual framework will be further modified based on the findings of additional fieldwork data. It is our belief that the demonstrated validity of the improved conceptual framework of this study can suggest one way of exploring the relationship between user modified functionality and user activities in relation to their use of domestic objects.
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