Cyborg-Centered Design describes a design process in which the cyborg is at the center. The approach is based on the insight that the relationship between human and technology changes: technology becomes part of human identity and individuality.
Cyborg-Centered Design
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Technologies enhance or expand human capabilities and change the human norm. Consequences of implants are difficult to estimate and require a careful and sensitive handling. The effects of human expansion through new skills and their influence on their autonomy are largely unknown. The balance between self-determination and heteronomy through an automatism generated by machines plays a central role.
By implanting artificial components, technology becomes an integral part of the human body. It is long-term part of the body. It is long-term in use and permanently connected to the body. The properties of technology implants must be well considered and future-oriented.
As designers, we have to create transparency of the invisible processes in the respective context, the question of the handling of collected data has to be clarified: How does the user get an overview and the control of his data? With networking the field of application of products is also growing. Designers have to think in more complex contexts and involve more stakeholders. The technique in the body gives the designer the opportunity to use it as an interface.
Design potentials
Nanomaterials are produced chemically or by mechanical methods. The exponential minimization of technologies facilitates their integration into the body. The initially invisible technique inside the body becomes part of his identity, which is made perceptible and tangible by the Body User Interface (BUI). Technology enables the networking of the cyborg with his environment: Human becomes the transmitter.
The term Internet of Cyborg describes the linking of cyborgs with physical and virtual objects in a structure – similar to the Internet. With the integration of intelligent and communicating technologies into the human body, the cyborg becomes part of a networked system in constant communications with his environment or ambient intelligence.
Inspiring others to design our future!
We prepared some themes to explore, what you can design! Get inspired!
Implanted technology gives the designer the possibility to use the body as an interface. It will be his job to define how informationflows into everyday life of te user.
How might natural stimuli function as information carriers?
Natural Stimuli can be boosted or expanded.
How do Cyborgs communicate to each other?
Sharing data can strengthen personal connection.
How might we use parts of th body to trigger information?
Specific parts of the body can function as a reference.
How might information be entered and demanded?
Common gestures can be used to transport data inside the body.
How might we combine physical and virtual world?
In an emergency, intelligent products can intervene automatically.
How might a Cyborg communicate with his surrounding?
Objects in its environment can allow access.
How might we give the user the opportunity to intervene?
Common gestures can be used to transport data inside the body.
Technology can display information directly on the body.
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Team Cyborg
Why did the project come about? What makes us experts?
Our Master Program »Strategic Design« combines our three disciplines (product, visual and interaction design) with management and research. One of the focal points of our university is Human-Centered Design. In the last few semesters we have focused on future trends, mega shifts and social developments. Our topic emerged from the observation that machines become more and more human and become more machines.
Meet Anna!
Anna is an interaction and strategic designer with a focus on concept development, experience, interface and motion design. Fascinated by thoughts about future developments in the field of cyborgisation, she believes that designers can be a driving force for a self-determined future. By bringing future scenarios into the present, design makes them accessible for everybody.
Meet Josy!
Josephine is a 27-year old freelance designer based in Berlin. Her focus is illustration and graphic design. She studied product design BA and strategic design MA at The University of Applied Sciences in Schwäbisch Gmünd.
Meet Lea!
Lea Suela Schwegler is a Communication Designer and Design Strategist. Her work focusses on social and ecological requirements. With a foresight mindset, she aims using her unique problem-solving skills to design meaningful concepts and drive social change.