Design Principles

As an outcome of the NordiCHI 2022 workshop, 9 design principles emerged for research and design in religious and/or spiritual (R/S) contexts.

Becoming Aware of one’s own and stakeholders’ beliefs and practices and how these can lead to tensions that influence research and design in R/S contexts.

Addressing Tensions that emerge in research and design in R/S context while understanding there may be situations where tensions are irresolvable.

Recognizing Fluidity as a core feature in the beliefs and practices of individuals and in today’s inter-cultural and inter-religious societies.

Embracing Uncertainty, openness, open-endedness, and ambiguity in designs and the design process in R/S contexts.

Centering the Everyday and reframing (participatory) design beyond formal R/S spaces to focus on the day-to-day R/S practices.

Shifting Perspectives from users to human spiritual beings, and to more-than-human and longer-than-human lifespans for designing in R/S contexts.

Redefining Outcomes of the design process to focus on design as a means toward spiritual development and self-reflection rather than the creation of a product.

Disclosing Our Values so people can make informed decisions about whether (or how) to engage with artifacts or interactive systems.

Reshaping Design by drawing upon and incorporating R/S values, rituals, and practices into (participatory) design processes and practices.