News Things: Exploring Interdisciplinary IoT News Media Opportunities via User-Centred Design

Abstract

Utilising a multidisciplinary and user-centred product and service design approach, ‘NewsThings’ explores the potential for domestic and professional internet of things (IoT) objects to convey journalism, media and information. In placing news audiences and industry at the centre of the prototyping process, the project’s web connected objects explore how user requirements may be best met in a perceived post-digital environment. Following a research-through-design methodology and utilising a range of tools - such as workshops, cultural probes, market research and long-term prototype deployment with public and industry - NewsThings aims to generate design insights and prototypes that could position the news media as active participants in the development of IoT products, processes and interactions. This work-in-progress paper outlines the project’s approach, methods, initial findings - up to and including the pre-deployment phase - and focuses on novel insights around user-engagement with news, and the multidisciplinary team’s responses to them.