Design Research in the North - from Wearables to Graveyards

Speaker:
Jonna Häkkilä, University of Lapland, Finland

Abstract:
In this talk, I will give an overview of two current research themes in my research group: the design of wearable computing, and the concept of interactive graveyards. The research emphasizes user experience design and research through design methods, and presents different prototypes and user research related to them. The topics highlight the possibilities and challenges in combining traditional design and culture with future technology. The talk also introduces the angle of Arctic Design, which is the strategic spearhead for the research at Faculty of Art and Design, University of Lapland.

Biography:
Jonna Häkkilä is professor for Industrial Design at University of Lapland, Finland (2014-), and an adjunct professor (docent) in Human Computer Interaction (HCI) at University of Oulu, Finland, where she also was Director of User Experience (UX) at Center for Internet Excellence in 2012-2014. At Nokia Research Center 2007-2011, she ramped up and led two user experience research teams. She received her PhD degree at University of Oulu, Finland, in 2007, and has done extended research visits to University of Stuttgart, Germany (2011), Carnegie Mellon University, USA (2006), and Griffith University, Australia (2003). She has published 120+ peer reviewed scientific papers on HCI, focusing on mobile and ubiquitous computing and user centric design. She has received research grants as PI from Horizon 2020, Academy of Finland, Tekes/Business Finland, and Interreg. She is a recognized and active member of the international HCI research community, and has served in organizing committees in several international highly ranked HCI conferences, including conference chairing for MUM 2016 & 2009 and NordiCHI 2014. Her research group’s works have been exhibited in Milan Design Week ’16 & ’17, and New York Wanted Design 2018. She is also a co-founder of a user experience design house Soul4Design Ltd (2012). Her current research interests include unobtrusive interaction with technology, and in utilizing design methods for creating and assessing future technology visions.

Host: Prof. Marc Langheinrich