Computers and Design in Context

Too often, designers of computer systems, both hardware and software, use
models and concepts that focus on the artifact while ignoring the context in which
the artifact will be used. According to this book, that assumption is a major reason
for many of the failures in contemporary computer systems development. It is time
for designers and users to join forces in the design of computer systems.The
contributors to this book address both the pragmatic approach of direct
collaboration between designers and users (known as participatory design) and the
more conceptual approach that incorporates complementary perspectives to help
designers come up with better solutions. The volume brings together different
computer-related research disciplines, including computer-supported cooperative work
(CSCW), human-computer interaction (CHI), and software engineering, as well as
social science disciplines concerned with the design and use of computer
artifacts.The book is organized into two parts. The first, "Artifacts and Use,"
focuses on the context of using computer artifacts. The second, "Process and
People," focuses on the context of designing computer artifacts.Contributors: Colin
Beardon, Jeanette Blomberg, Kristin Braa, Tone Bratteteig, Paul Dourish, Pelle Ehn,
Sue Gollifer, Kaj Grønbaek, Peter Holm, Mark C. Jones, Morten Kyng, Jan Ljungberg,
Tom McMaster, Theis Meggerle, Anders Mørch, Preben Mogensen, Michael J. Muller,
Torbjörn Näslund, Christopher Rose, Odd Steen, Erik Stolterman, Markus Stolze, Lucy
Suchman, Tamara Sumner, Micke Svedemar, Kari Thoresen, Randall Trigg, Richard
Vidgen, Trevor Wood-Harper, Suzette Worden.