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Memory Tracer & Memory Compass: Investigating personal location histories as a design material for everyday reminiscence

Resource type
Thesis type
(Thesis) M.Sc.
Date created
2022-04-08
Authors/Contributors
Abstract
With the massive adoption of smartphone, location trackers, and GPS-based applications, data is being generated that captures people's geographic locations in more precise detail than ever before. These personal location history data archives offer a potentially valuable and overlooked resource for supporting reminiscence on past life experiences. Yet, little design research has explored how location histories can be applied as a material in designing such experiences. I describe the Research through Design process of two novel design artifacts: Memory Tracer is a device that occasionally, yet perpetually surfaces location moments from the past bound to today's date. Memory Compass is a smartwatch application that uses a 'casting' interaction metaphor that enables a user to retrieve and explore location moments from their past, across space and time. I unpack and reflect on key decisions in my design process and conclude with opportunities for future HCI research and practice.
Document
Extent
70 pages.
Identifier
etd21905
Copyright statement
Copyright is held by the author(s).
Permissions
This thesis may be printed or downloaded for non-commercial research and scholarly purposes.
Supervisor or Senior Supervisor
Thesis advisor: Odom, William
Language
English
Download file Size
etd21905.pdf 71.56 MB

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