In this paper, we explore the concept of participatory design from a different viewpoint by drawing on an African philosophy humanness -Ubuntu-, and rural community practices. The situational dynamics interaction become obvious throughout experiences within our project. Supported theoretical framework reflect upon current We intend to inspire refine concepts methods beyond particular context own experiences.

Abstract Current human–computer interaction (HCI) paradigms are deeply rooted in a Western epistemology that attests its partiality and bias of embedded assumptions, values, definitions, techniques, derived frameworks models. Thus tensions created between local cultures HCI principles require researchers to pursue more critical research agenda within an indigenous epistemology. In this article Afro-centric paradigm is presented, as promoted by African scholars, alternative perspective guide...

July 01 2012 Community Consensus: Design Beyond Participation Heike Winschiers-Theophilus, Winschiers-Theophilus is director and professor in the Schol of Information Technology at Polytechnic Namibia. She has lived lectured Namibia since 1994. Her research focuses on cross-cultural issues HCI, cultural appropriation design evaluation concepts methods, representation retrieval indigenous knowledge community-centered information systems. Search for other works by this author on: This Site...

Participatory Design (PD) approaches seem particularly well suited to contribute debates over power and decolonization in design, yet often lack considerations of cultural situatedness underlying ontological entanglements. In this paper we identify theoretical methodological gaps PD relating contemporary discourses decolonizing design. We integrate perspectives from postcolonial discourse explore how can create more far-reaching examples design practice. present a study which young Namibians...

This article introduces the concept of 'safe space' in design interventions: a socially developed environment for thoughts, actions, and mutual learning political contested contexts. The safe space responds to current challenges within decolonial practices calls plurality knowledge voices. We present study which we spaces with young Namibians by combining core elements anthropology community-based participatory through interventions, dialogic engagements, co-design. demonstrate how...

Decolonizing discourses teach us that we need to move away from the universalizing 'grand narratives' of knowledge production and focus on contextualizing diverse situated experiences, epistemologies narratives. Yet, few contributions actively demonstrate what a shift decolonizing design means in practice. Participatory Design (PD) approaches are particularly well-suited contributing contemporary debates decolonization due PD's long-standing political traditions values equality empowerment,...

In this paper, we illustrate through a set of examples how our own conceptualisation participatory design (PD) and associated tools techniques transforms within the process itself. Co-designing with African rural communities has brought to light many assumptions intentions underlying commonly used methods principles PD. While genuinely striving for user involvement these same can hinder truly approach design. We have learned much encounters continuous reflections in various projects southern...

A literature review on cross-cultural personas reveals both, a trend in projects lacking accomplishment and reinforcing previous biases. We first suggest why failures or incompleteness may have ensued, while then we entice thoughtful alteration of the design process by creating validating together with those that they embody. Personas created people's own terms support technologies truly satisfying users' needs drives. Examining experiences working "out there", our practises, conclude...

This article addresses the challenges of designing pluriversal futures in complex and contested sociopolitical contexts by extending temporal scope design to address future imaginaries. Opening up spaces which difficult colonial 'pasts' can be addressed alongside everyday narratives memories marginal voices also opens possibilities for imagining otherwise. We conducted a series codesign interventions with group young Namibians who were struggling find their voice ongoing decolonial...

Participatory Design (PD) approaches are particularly well-suited to contribute contemporary debates of decolonisation in design due PD's long-standing political traditions and values democracy empowerment. Decolonising discourses teach us that we need move away from the universalising 'grand narratives' knowledge production focus on contextualising diverse situated experiences, epistemologies narratives. Yet, few contributions actively demonstrate what a shift decolonising PD means...

Recent improvements in hand-tracking technologies support novel applications and developments of gesture interactions virtual reality (VR). Current implementations are mostly convention-based, originating a Western technological context, thereby creating legacy bias interaction implementations. With expanding application contexts growing user groups contexts, the design selection gestures need to be diversified. In this paper we present an exploration natural gestures, followed by their...

Even though issues such as climate change, pollution, and declining biodiversity impact us all, people with historically disenfranchised socio-politically marginalized (HDSM) identities often bear the harsher brunt of ecological crises suffer disproportionately. There is a need for listening to voices intersecting HDSM in relation feminist engagements applicable HCI IxD research practice. Building upon braiding together two thriving discourses on feminism environmental sustainability, we...

Recent developments in Virtual Reality (VR) applications, such as hand gesture tracking, provide new opportunities to create embodied user experiences. Numerous elicitation studies have been conducted. However, most instances they lack validation of implemented gestures, well diversity participant groups. Our research explores the digitalization intangible cultural heritage collaboration with one San tribes Southern Africa. The focus is on particular gestures interactions a VR implementation...

Participation is a key requirement to ensure that ICT4D and HCI4D projects succeed. Specifically, the relationship between research community necessary for any project; without this cooperation, proverbial white elephant project will result. Existing literature provides much evidence on need importance of participation. However, many researchers lack skills knowledge be able build, develop maintain relationship, as interactions are based assumptions. We investigate challenges frustrations...

We report on a participatory design project that explored the use of child-created Personas to enable child designers empathize with other children thereby contributing multiple divergent perspectives. The ongoing aims promote reading and creative writing skills among young in Namibia. For decades libraries worldwide have been key actors fostering reading. Hence, order maintain their relevance, they are being re-conceptualized cater for new needs aspirations 21st century. In Namibia,...