A vision for design in the era of collective computing

Abstract

In this study, we envision engineering design activities for collective computing, an upcoming era of complex systems of massive social interaction through a wide variety of connected computing devices. A literature review reveals how collective computing, compared to the previous eras of personal and ubiquitous computing, may lead to new design tasks and design processes, as well as new roles for designers. Based on this review, new design activities for the collective computing era are envisioned, and further revised in an interview study with 24 informants. The result is a vision for design in the collective computing era, with actionable guidance for designers in terms of a coherent set of new design activities proposed in relation to advances in computing.