Design for the value of presence

Abstract

This chapter elaborates on design for the value of presence. As digital technologies
have made it possible for us to connect to each other at a speed and scale
that is unprecedented, presence is acquiring many new stances. The distinctions
between being there (in virtual worlds), being here (making the being there
available here), and the merging realities of these two are essential to the notion
of presence. Understanding the essence of presence is the focus of current presence
research to which many disciplines contribute, including computer
science, artificial intelligence, artistic research, social science, and neurobiology.
The definition of presence used in this chapter is “steering towards well-being
and survival,” and this definition introduces a neurobiological perspective on
presence fundamental to the approach on which this chapter focuses. This
perspective recognizes the choices and trade-offs involved in presence design.
Presence design is a meta-design, which creates the context for human experience
to emerge. Presence as a value for design can be a design requirement,
a factor of analysis, and a key value in a process of Design for Values.
This chapter discusses a number of analytical and design frameworks for
constructing and deconstructing presence design. Acknowledging that presence
is a fuzzy concept and that a variety of open issues can be identified, presence as
a value for design is fundamental for human beings to accept responsibility in
complex environments. Further research will need to address how we, as human
beings, change and how our sense of presence changes, as a result of living in a
network society with ubiquitous technology and all pervasive media being part
of our day-to-day lives.