Beyond Visualisation Data as Raw Material for Uncoded Experiences

Abstract

AbstractIn the context of our evolving data-driven society, controlling the current abundance of data and the resulting flow of information does not circumscribe actions from disciplinary boundaries. Many recent theories factually underline this fact contributing significantly to the definition of valuable tools, methodologies, and processes. Numerous cross-disciplinary contributions support an ever-expanding field of knowledge in its many applications, the benefits of which are evident from an economic, social and cultural perspective. Furthermore, they seem to reveal the potential of a material transformation of data: re-materialising data, giving it physical shape and staging it in public spaces to create more emphatic relationships. This plastic experience would make people feel the data, not just watch and observe it. The paper proposes an analytical framework, helpful in exploring the opportunities offered by data design: what technological innovations make the development of new data communication languages possible? What spatial dimension does the experience provide? What value, what meaning do they bring? The framework offered here intends to be a thinking tool and inspire renewed data interaction design practices. A better understanding of what interaction in data design is, and how it can enrich the quality of interaction in data-informed product-service systems which empower those who use them. The goal is to open up the dialogue amongst parties interested in making the human explicit in the data ecosystem.