Ambiguity as a resource for design

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Ambiguity as a resource for design

• Bill Gaver, Jake Beaver and Steve Benford

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• Ambiguity is seldom considered beneficial in HCI.

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• This reflects the legacy of science and
  engineering.

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• But ambiguity can lead to engagement.

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• It allows topics to be raised but not decided.

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• It can allow the use of imprecise technologies.

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• ORIENTING EXAMPLES

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• 1. Sloganbench from the Presence project.

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• 2. Desert Rain

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• 3. The Pillow

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• 4. Home Health Monitor

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• Ambiguity is not just skin deep.

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• THREE TYPES OF AMBIGUITY

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• Ambiguity is a property of interpretation.

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• Ambiguity of Information (Da Vinci)

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• Ambiguity of Context (Duchamps)

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• Ambiguity of Relationship (Atelier van
  Lieshout)

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• TACTICS

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• TACTICS AMBIGUITY OF INFORMATION
• Use imprecise representations to emphasise
  uncertainty.
• Expose inconsistencies to create an
  interpretative space.
• Over-interpret data to encourage scepticism.
• Cast doubt on sources to spur independent
  assessment.

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• Use imprecise representations to emphasise
  uncertainty.

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• Expose inconsistencies to create an
  interpretative space.

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• Over-interpret data to encourage scepticism.

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• Cast doubt on sources to spur independent
  assessment.

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• TACTICS AMBIGUITY OF CONTEXT
• Implicate conflicting contexts to disrupt
  interpretation.
• Add incongruous functions to breach existing
  genres.
• Reinterpret functionality to create new meaning.
• Block expected functionality to force new views.

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• Implicate conflicting contexts to disrupt
  interpretation.

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• Add incongruous functions to breach existing
  genres.

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• Reinterpret functionality to create new meaning.

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• Reinterpret functionality to create new meaning.

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• Block expected functionality to force new views.

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• Block expected functionality to force new views.

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• TACTICS AMBIGUITY OF RELATIONSHIP
• Offer unexpected roles to encourage imagination.
• Point out things without explaining what they
  mean.
• Allow side effects to raise uncomfortable
  questions.

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• Offer unexpected roles to encourage imagination.

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• Point out things without explaining what they
  mean.

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• Allow side effects to raise uncomfortable
  questions.

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• TACTICS
• Use imprecise representations to emphasise
  uncertainty.
• Expose inconsistencies to create an
  interpretative space.
• Over-interpret data to encourage scepticism.
• Cast doubt on sources to spur independent
  assessment.
• Implicate conflicting contexts to disrupt
  interpretation.
• Add incongruous functions to breach existing
  genres.
• Reinterpret functionality to create new meaning.
• Block expected functionality to force new views.
• Offer unexpected roles to encourage imagination.
• Point out things without explaining what they
  mean.
• Allow side effects to raise uncomfortable
  questions.

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• AMBIGUITY AS A RESOURCE

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• AMBIGUITY
• more than skin deep
• not a virtue per se
• can be a resource for design

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• ADVANTAGES OF AMBIGUITY
• engagement through interpretation
• allows imprecise technology to be a starting
  point
• raising questions without determining answers

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