Erik Stolterman: Visualization Techniques in Societal Design

Societal design takes place in all processes where important aspects of the overall society are designed and outlined. This presentation is about what happens when advanced visualization techniques (such as multimedia and VR-techniques) are used in these societal design processes. The presentation is based on two small studies of design related situations where visualization techniques are used: musical composition and architectural evaluation. The two studies are analyzed and interpreted based on the concepts: the information-reality relation and the technology-preconception-use relation.

The idea of externalization of knowledge is also used as a way to understand some of the dynamic aspects found in the studies. Based on the studies it is possible to conclude that this new technology will lead to new demands concerning skills and knowledge needed to take part in societal design processes and it may also change the appreciation of constitutes a good design.

Välkommna!
Kenneth Nilsson