HASTAC 2023 Conference

This physical installtion investigates User Experience Design research practices through critical-making methodologies (i.e. prototyping/making the testing environment) and analytical frameworks (prototyping of architectural space, design as a performance, and criticallity of design practices.) The physical space and location of user testing research provide opportunities in which to gather user feedback on over-arching issues facing design professionals involved in experience design, interaction design, and data management. The users provided feedback through paper surveys. Using speculative and critical making as guiding principles, the prototype UXD testing environment is an exploration into how end-users understand, participate, and view technological innovation as it relates to user experience with communication technologies and data. The users navigated through the installtion and provided oral and written feedback to prompts delivered via wall text and through interfaces.The exhibition serves as a user-centric laboratory and a prototype for continued inquiry into designing sustainably and ethically for a complex global population. This design-critical installation poses questions about the realationship between design and commerce and the power dynamics betweent those that design and those that must use designed products without critical input into the complexity of the 21st century technological landscape. The visual impact of the installation intends to and suceeds in drawing comparisons between 1960s psychedeilc mind shifts, early technological progress and the need to "shift our thinking" similarily to solve 21st century problems.