Friction in scheduling and coordinating lives of families

Two conceptual information appliances for scheduling and coordinating based on this friction and designed from user studies in the lives of working parents are discussed to inspire the design of future information appliances.

Abstract

Families with working parents have busy and mobile lives. This typically causes a lot of friction in their schedules. This paper discusses two conceptual information appliances for scheduling and coordinating based on this friction and designed from user studies in the lives of these families.The interaction principles of the designs are based on a friction metaphor. This metaphor was explored through looking in depth at friction in mechanical constructions. This unconventional design approach led to product and interaction design that is both appropriate and expressive: the long-term planner is a large display that visualizes entangled family schedules and provides shared tangible interaction when scheduling new appointments; the coordination watch is a mobile device that allows distributed haptic interaction when changing appointments.These concept designs and their design process aim to inspire the design of future information appliances.