Roadmap

This roadmap gives our lab and participants clarity over our priorities over the next five years.

It is more a guideline than a strict set of tasks we are bound to finish. We will adjust over this period depending on study results and collaboration opportunities.

At a high-level, the research focuses on the following four objectives:

• Data in every design process

• Accountable data and design process

• Trustful use and sharing of data

• Involvement of all stakeholders

How do we plan to tackle this? The how is broken down into the following sections which this roadmap will dive into:

• Platform and Innovation: The DCD Hub combines a set of innovative tools for effective and responsible design with data;

• Design Process Integration: It integrates design processes by supporting designers through their data-centric approach;

• Evaluation: It is a prototype that generates metrics to gain insights on data-centric design practices and evaluate new tools and methods;

• Education: It supports new and experienced designers through the use of data in design.

See Quarterly Iteration Plans

Platform and Innovation

The DCD Hub is a prototype of data platform to support designing with data.

DCD Hub and the core system

• Cloud-native infrastructure

• Data streaming pipeline

• Fine-grain authentication and authorisation mechanism

A remote, web-based platform provides an easy getting started access that can be appropriately scalable and secured.

Data as a material

• Minimalist data model

• Quantitative and qualitative data: sensors, documents, media

• Strongly typed, to facilitate support and automation

Collection, Storage and Processing

• Standard prototyping languages, APIs and Platforms

• Personal data box: transparency and control over personal data

• Analytics registry: touch point for all stakeholders, peer-reviewed data analytics, support mechanism for bias

• Automated streaming analysis based on data type

Design Process Integration

To inject data throughout the design process, we data tools and methods should be geared towards designers but also fit in the design thinking flow.

Iterative Process

• Double Diamond: Discover, define, develop, deliver

• Collection moments

• Data Design Kits (DDK)

In contrast with typical Software Development Kits from computer engineering community, we aim to develop Data Design Kits (DDK).

• Fast access to real-time data collection and exploration

Co-Design

• Real-time experience sampling

• Participatory data analysis

Evaluation

Being a prototype, the DCD Hub generates metrics to measure its performance and inform its next iteration. It aims at addressing research questions such as:

• How can digital infrastructures balance values of data stakeholders?

• How can designer leverage data with confidence while data subject donate data with trust?

• How can design implement responsible data-centric design processes at scale?

Measurement mechanisms must take place to enable studies on these question. The approach will rely on logs, A/B testing and experience sampling. This involves the following metrics:

• Hub interaction: when, who, what

• Data sharing: how much is kept private, how much is shared? In which conditions?

Education

While the DCD Hub is a prototype for understanding what tools and methods can support effective and responsible design with data, educating future designers is a key aspect of project.

• Documentation for designers

• Example-driven approach

• Prototyping kit