Beyond Functional Support: Rethinking Ai For Social-Emotional Connectedness In Informal Older Adult Caregiving,
2025
Cornell University, Ithaca, USA
Beyond Functional Support: Rethinking Ai For Social-Emotional Connectedness In Informal Older Adult Caregiving, Lusi Ruth Wang, Sang-Won Leigh
IASDR Conference Series
As global populations age, informal caregiving by family and community members plays an increasingly vital role in supporting older adults. This paper investigates how artificial intelligence (AI) can foster socio-emotional connectedness among older adults, informal caregivers, and their broader social networks. We conducted a two-phase ethnographic study with older adult–caregiver pairs in their home environments. Phase one employed contextual inquiry to explore social-emotional dynamics, relational boundaries, and caregiving challenges. Phase two used metaphor-driven probes to examine AI’s potential to mediate emotional connectedness and address relational barriers. Our findings reveal a deep yearning among older adults for emotional connectedness, alongside nuanced …
A Blockchain-Based Participatory Design Framework For Sustainable Fashion: Integrating The Digital Product Passport System,
2025
Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea
A Blockchain-Based Participatory Design Framework For Sustainable Fashion: Integrating The Digital Product Passport System, Yunjae Lee, Chunmei Liang, Eunjung Cho, Eunkyoung Yang
IASDR Conference Series
While the fashion industry has exerted significant economic and cultural influence, its centralized structure has contributed to environmental degradation, resource waste, and social inequality. In response to growing societal and policy demands for sustainability, participatory design—redefining users as co-creators—has gained traction, particularly in academic discourse, as a pathway toward sustainable transformation. This study proposes a blockchain-based co-creation framework for sustainable fashion design that integrates Digital Product Passports (DPP) to ensure transparent and sustainable digital fashion ecosystem. Using a design-based research methodology, the framework is articulated through a six-stage participatory fashion design model detailing stakeholder roles, decision- making processes, DPP data …
The Effect Of Generative Ai On Design Students' Critical Thinking And Creative Achievement,
2025
School of Design, Hunan University, Changsha, China
The Effect Of Generative Ai On Design Students' Critical Thinking And Creative Achievement, Younjung Hwang, Jindo Hwang
IASDR Conference Series
This study investigated generative AI's impact on design students' critical thinking and creative achievement through a counterbalanced within-subjects experiment with 61 university students in southern China. Participants were randomly assigned to two groups: Group A used traditional tools (Adobe software, handmade methods) followed by AI tools (Midjourney, DALL-E), while Group B used the reverse order. Students created graphic posters on different but comparable themes with a two- week interval between sessions. Data were collected through pre- and post-surveys using composite scores, blind expert evaluations of the design outputs, and focus group interviews. Results revealed a paradox: students reported significantly lower …
Enhancing Comfort At Interaction Points: Optimizing Cushioning Materials In Lower-Limb Rehabilitation Exoskeletons,
2025
Department of Industrial Design, School of Mechanical Engineering & Automation, Beihang University, Beijing, China
Enhancing Comfort At Interaction Points: Optimizing Cushioning Materials In Lower-Limb Rehabilitation Exoskeletons, Haocheng Han, Peixuan Wang, Yuanyuan Liu
IASDR Conference Series
Rehabilitation exoskeletons represent a transformative solution for restoring motor function; however, discomfort at human–machine contact points reduces user compliance and clinical effectiveness. Although considerable advancements have been made in exoskeleton mechanics, investigations into cushioning material properties remains limited. This study adopts a mixed- methods approach, integrating qualitative insights from a focus group, subjective comfort ratings via a7-point Likert scale, and objective muscle-activation measurements using surface electro myo graphy, to examine how cushioning material properties, including elastic modulus, dynamic compression recovery rate, and material thickness, influence wearer comfort. Results demonstrate that materials with lower stiffness andhigher compression recovery rates significantly enhance …
Enhancing Self-Awareness Through Guided Self-Talk: Designing A Chatbot To Support Mental Health And Counselor Communication,
2025
AIMS Fellows, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
Enhancing Self-Awareness Through Guided Self-Talk: Designing A Chatbot To Support Mental Health And Counselor Communication, Yuan-Chi Tseng, Yu-Hsuan Liao
IASDR Conference Series
Mental health challenges are increasingly common among university students, yet many face barriers to accessing care, including limited emotional self-awareness. This paper explores the design and evaluation of Your Mobile Therapist, a LINE-integrated chatbot that guides users through structured self-talk to enhance emotional clarity and support communication with counselors. Grounded in theories of inner speech and reflective practice, the chatbot was developed through participatory design and deployed in a comparative user study involving twelve participants. We evaluated the effects of chatbot-guided reflection against a static control condition using qualitative interviews and counselor feedback. Results show that the chatbot facilitated deeper …
Reimagining Ai Futures. Solarpunk Narratives In Design Education,
2025
University of Salford, Salford, UK
Reimagining Ai Futures. Solarpunk Narratives In Design Education, Anca Serbanescu, Kees Schuller
IASDR Conference Series
The narrative imaginary surrounding Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been predominantly shaped by science fiction cinema and television, with dystopian scenarios prevailing. This dominance poses a significant challenge by constraining designers’ creative capacities to envision alternatives beyond the dystopian genre. It reinforces fear-based representations, fostering a polarizing perspective of being either for or against AI, rather than embracing a range of diverse viewpoints. Such narrative fundamentalism jeopardizes the foundational values of freedom, equity, and democracy central to design education, narrowing the scope for fostering inclusive and complex understandings of AI. To counteract these limitations, this research introduces the Solarpunk movement as …
Design Thinking Beyond The Hype: Organisational Barriers And Implementation Challenges,
2025
Department of Design, Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy
Design Thinking Beyond The Hype: Organisational Barriers And Implementation Challenges, Gianluca Carella, Cabirio Cautela, Michele Melazzini, Francesco Zurlo
IASDR Conference Series
Despite the growing popularity of Design Thinking (DT) as a catalyst for organisational innovation, agility, and user-centred transformation, its actual adoption often remains superficial, fragmented, or symbolic. This study presents a systematic literature review of 64 peer-reviewed publications, aiming to identify, categorise, and interpret the key barriers to DT implementation in organisational contexts. Findings reveal that resistance to DT is rooted not merely in technical or procedural limitations, but in deeper organisational structures, cultures, and mental models. Through thematic synthesis, four recurring macro-barriers are identified: (1) uncertainty induced by change, (2) leadership-related constraints, (3) incompatibility of approaches and languages, and …
Breathing Beside The Leaf That Guides Us: An Experimental Study On A Plant-Human Symbiotic Meditation System Design,
2025
School of Design, Hunan University, Changsha, China
Breathing Beside The Leaf That Guides Us: An Experimental Study On A Plant-Human Symbiotic Meditation System Design, Yule Chen, Shengbo Sun, Yiwen Wang, Ying Hu, Wenyu Xu, Yuexin Zhu, Yiming Bai
IASDR Conference Series
Unlike interactions with electronic devices—which demandthe full focus ofhuman cognition through screen-based interfaces—our engagement with nature is subtle, embodied, and continuously perceived, even without conscious attention. In the context of a decent connection between human and nature life rhythms, this study introduces a novel plant- human symbiotic meditation system that transforms real-time photosynthetic signals into generative soundscapes, enablingaform ofcross-species interaction in which plant rhythms serve as perceptual cues in human meditative regulation. Distinct from prior human-plant interaction work that treats plants as passive background elements or aesthetic artifacts, this research emphasizes the expressive role of living plants in shaping human …
Design Futuring Through Diegetic Prototypes: Provoking Value Reflection On Emerging Technologies,
2025
Iovine and Young Academy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA
Design Futuring Through Diegetic Prototypes: Provoking Value Reflection On Emerging Technologies, May Omori, Yihyun Lim
IASDR Conference Series
This paper explores the use of diegetic prototypes as critical design interventions to provoke reflection on human values in technology use. We present Anima, a speculative digital twin service designed as a commercial product website. Designed to feel both plausible and unsettling, Anima simulates a future of total optimization—raising ethical questions around privacy, autonomy, critical thinking, and human connection. Informed by interviews with older adults, we identified four core values and translated them into exaggerated product features intended to surface tensions and provoke discomfort. A second cohort of younger participants engaged with the prototype through asynchronous surveys and follow- up …
Design Next: An Emergent Paradigm Shift,
2025
Taiwan Design Research Institute, Taipei, Taiwan
Design Next: An Emergent Paradigm Shift, Shyhnan Liou, Ingri P. Hernandez Sibo, Chi-Yi Chang
IASDR Conference Series
This paper employs Thomas Kuhn’s paradigm shift framework to analyze the evolution of design, arguing that the field is undergoing a fundamental transformation from Human-Centered Design (HCD) to Assemblage-Centered Design. Historically, design progressed from a pre-paradigm phase (artifact-centered, industrial-era design) to a normal science phase (HCD, emphasizing user needs and design thinking). However, systemic crises such as climate change, social inequality, and AI integration, revealed anomalies in HCD’s user-centric focus, triggering a revolutionary phase. Assemblage-Centered Design redefines design’s ontology (encompassing ecosystems, AI, and socio- technical systems), epistemology (relational/systemic thinking), methodology (transition/speculative design), and teleology (long-term planetary well-being over commercial usability). …
Understanding The Role Of Scenario Data In Idea Generation And Problem Framing: A Qualitative Study In Smart Product Design,
2025
School of Design, Hunan University, Changsha, China
Understanding The Role Of Scenario Data In Idea Generation And Problem Framing: A Qualitative Study In Smart Product Design, Yaqin Peng, Xiang Yuan, Yuxuan Tan
IASDR Conference Series
As digital, connected, and intelligent technologies continue to evolve, smart product designers are increasingly engaging with diverse types of data during the concept exploration stage. Scenario data, a structured and integrative set of contextual information, has received increasing attention for its potential to transform fragmented inputs into user-centered insights. However, how designers identify, interpret, and utilize scenario data remains under explored. This study investigates how experienced smart product designers leverage scenario data in the Problem Space, corresponding to the Discover and Define phases of the Double Diamond process, to support idea generation and problem framing. Drawing on a two-phase qualitative …
Technical Readiness Level Assessment Of Triple-Effect Green Energy Generator: Based On The Results Of Quality Function Development,
2025
Department of Industrial Design, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
Technical Readiness Level Assessment Of Triple-Effect Green Energy Generator: Based On The Results Of Quality Function Development, Shuo-Fang Liu, Yu-Shan Wei
IASDR Conference Series
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the technical feasibility of a triple-effect green energy generator that combines a small wind turbine, a solar water heater, and a thermo electric power generator, with the aim of providing a theoretical basis and design strategy for future product development and application. Based on the results of the previous two quality function development (QFD) studies, the study integrates the key user requirements, corresponding engineering specifications and key components to further investigate the maturity and feasibility of the constituent technologies. In this study, the technology readiness level (TRL) served as the evaluation method, …
Research On Facial Expression Design Strategies For Social Robots,
2025
School of Arts, Tiangong University, Tianjin, China
Research On Facial Expression Design Strategies For Social Robots, Jialin Zhu, Qiugui Zhang
IASDR Conference Series
With the growing prevalence of social robots, the communication of emotions in human–robot interaction (HRI) has attracted increasing scholarly attention. As a primary channel for emotional expression, facial expressions play a critical role in shaping the accuracy and perceived warmth of interactions. However, current design practices for robotic facial expressions largely rely on subjective intuition, lacking systematic and data-driven strategies. This study employs an experimental method to quantify the muscle movements associated with six basic human emotions - anger, disgust, fear, happiness, sadness, and astonishment - and to develop static facial expression design strategies tailored for screen-based social robots. 20 …
An Exploratory Research On Empowering The User Interview Process With Generative Ai,
2025
School of Design, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
An Exploratory Research On Empowering The User Interview Process With Generative Ai, Keya Chen, Shengzhe Li, Yihan Mei, Zhibin Zhou
IASDR Conference Series
Recent advances in Generative AI (GenAI) present promising opportunities to enhance user interview tasks, such as transcription and sentiment analysis. However, existing GenAI-powered interview tools tend to operate in isolation, supporting only discrete stages of the interview process. This fragmentation constrains designers' abilities to conduct fluid and responsive interviews. To explore how GenAI might be effectively integrated throughout the interview workflow, we conducted focus groups with eight UX design practitioners. Participants identified key limitations of current GenAI tools and articulated desired GenAI functions across all phases of the interview process. Grounded in a four-stage interview process, this study introduced a …
Ai-Empowered Cultural Heritage Integration: A Climate-Responsive Acoustic Design Framework,
2025
School of Design, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
Ai-Empowered Cultural Heritage Integration: A Climate-Responsive Acoustic Design Framework, Xinyue Zhang, Lingge Tan, Donghui Cui, Stephen Jia Wang
IASDR Conference Series
In the context of accelerating globalization and growing frequency of extreme climate events, the preservation of regional cultural heritage and the pursuit of climate-responsive design present substantial challenges. In this study, a “Nature-Technology-Culture” tri-dimensional collaborative framework is proposed, offering a novel paradigm for the intelligent transformation of traditional craftsmanship. Drawing inspiration from the traditional “hexagonal eye” bamboo weaving technique of Pingjiang, Hunan, this study develops a modular soundscape installation system that combines fractal geometry reconstruction with parametric control technologies. The system integrates a bamboo framework with oil-paper composite cladding, achieving both cultural preservation and climate adaptability. A dynamic coupling mechanism …
Designing For Ethical Friction: Reclaiming Agency And Accountability In Ai-Supported Creativity,
2025
Centre for Digital Creativity, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
Designing For Ethical Friction: Reclaiming Agency And Accountability In Ai-Supported Creativity, Peter Dalsgaard
IASDR Conference Series
With the growing integration of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) into creative workflows, AI tools increasingly function as co-creators. This transition challenges traditional notions of authorship, originality, and creative agency. This paper introduces "ethical friction": intentional design interventions that prompt users to reflect on the ethical dimensions of their creative decisions. Our central inquiry is: "What design mechanisms can support ethical reflection during creative work without overburdening or moralizing the user experience?". This question is underscored by the need to understand how AI-generated suggestions influence user decision-making and creative direction, both consciously and unconsciously, and how current generative systems may obscure …
Simulation And Design Analysis Of A "Shelf-Less Drugstore" Using Virtual Reality With Expert And Non-Expert Users,
2025
Institute of Art and Design, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
Simulation And Design Analysis Of A "Shelf-Less Drugstore" Using Virtual Reality With Expert And Non-Expert Users, Shinichi Koyama, Tianyao Cai, Guyue Tang, Dokyung Kim, Megumi Izumisawa
IASDR Conference Series
A VR “drugstore without display shelves” store was designed and tested with expert and non-expert users. First, expert and non-expert participants viewed a drugstore without display shelves with a VR google and tested a tablet-based OTC medicine vending system by having an experience of buying a cold medicine with the vending system. After that, they evaluated the impressions of the VR drug store by measuring “advanced”, “sophisticated”, “open-plan”, “calming”, “conspicuous”, “safe”, “reliable”, “understandable”, “efficient”, and “awkward”, in 5-point scales. Feedback was obtained from experts mainly from the perspective of store operations and from non-experts mainly from the perspective of user …
Exploring The Opportunity Of Diegetic Prototyping As An Approach To Design Innovation,
2025
Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, Ulsan, South Korea
Exploring The Opportunity Of Diegetic Prototyping As An Approach To Design Innovation, Sung Jun Kim, James Self
IASDR Conference Series
This study investigates diegetic prototyping as an alternative approach to enhance design innovation beyond the incremental scope of User-Centred Design. In contrast, while speculative design, including diegetic prototyping, embeds future-oriented ideas within narrative contexts, promoting critical reflection on societal and technological implications, it often lacks focus on practically viable design innovations. Employing a Research-through-Design approach, we developed three diegetic prototypes to evaluate their effectiveness in design innovation. The three prototypes are classified as look-and- feel, role, and implementation prototypes. Audience feedback, gathered through surveys and focus group interviews, assessed perceptions of novelty, acceptability, and innovative ness, wherein design innovation is …
Reframing Waste: A Systemic Design Approach To Urban Resource Upcycling And Social Value Creation,
2025
Taiwan Design Research Institute, Taipei, Taiwan
Reframing Waste: A Systemic Design Approach To Urban Resource Upcycling And Social Value Creation, Yuling Pan, Yu-Hsuan Wu
IASDR Conference Series
Traditional linear economic models are proving insufficient in the face of global urbanization's waste challenges. This research introduces systemic design, emphasizing its capacity to integrate systems thinking with design practice to address complex and unpredictable societal structures. We position systemic design as the core "practice," with urban resource upcycling and social value creation as its key "impacts." Through qualitative case study analysis, we delve into two specific projects: the " Dashuigou 2nd hand shop Optimization Design Project" and the "Tzu Chi Zhongshan Bade Treasure House Renovation Project." For each case, we thoroughly examine the design interventions, stakeholder engagement models, and …
Design Science Impacts Design Practices: Applying Eye-Tracking Technology To Facilitate Food Company To Explore Consumer Visual Perception And Color Semantics On Drip Bag Coffee Packaging Design,
2025
Department of Industrial Design, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
Design Science Impacts Design Practices: Applying Eye-Tracking Technology To Facilitate Food Company To Explore Consumer Visual Perception And Color Semantics On Drip Bag Coffee Packaging Design, Ya-Chun Yang, Tseng-Ping Chiu
IASDR Conference Series
Existing literature remains limited in exploring how the combination of color and other elements in food packaging influences consumer behavior. Therefore, this study aims to establish the visual ecology for drip coffee packaging, emphasizing how scientific approaches in design can enhance practical design processes and industrial applications. This research integrated color, semantic, and symbolic elements to represent consumers’ psychological perceptions of the color image space, while incorporating eye- tracking as physiological evidence to validate and explore these perceptions. This dual approach bridges psychological insights with physiological responses. The study is conducted in two phases. Study 1 conducted a market analysis …
