Also regarded as the design of the interaction between users and products, Interaction design is a multidisciplinary area that focuses on designing user-friendly goods, services, and systems. It integrates design, psychology, and technological principles to develop user interfaces that are intuitive and efficient. Interaction designers take a user-centered approach to design, which means they begin by learning about the wants, goals, and behaviors of the people who will use the product or service. They then apply this knowledge to design interfaces and interactions that are specific to the user’s wants and preferences.
Websites, mobile apps, consumer gadgets, autos, and even physical venues like museums and public transportation all benefit from interaction design. Interaction designers produce effective interfaces using a range of techniques such as wireframing, prototyping, and user testing. To produce unified and polished products, they often cooperate with other design and development experts such as graphic designers, engineers, and user researchers.
As new technologies and design trends arise, the discipline of interaction design is continually evolving. To build interfaces that are both useful and appealing, interaction designers must keep up with the newest design tools, technologies, and best practices.
“Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works.” – Steve Jobs
Interaction design is a field that integrates design, psychology, and technological concepts to produce user-friendly products and services. As Steve Jobs noted, design is about more than just how something looks; it is also about how it operates. Interaction designers utilize a user-centered design approach to create interfaces that are intuitive and efficient for users. This implies that they begin by gaining an understanding of the objectives, goals, and behaviors of the people who will be using the product or service, and then utilize that information to build interfaces that are personalized to the user’s wants and preferences. In other words, design the experiences people want next.
“Design is not just about aesthetics, it’s about problem-solving” – Jared Spool
“Design should never say, ‘Look at me.’ It should always say, ‘Look at this'” – David Craib
“Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works.” – Steve Jobs
“Design is not just an aesthetic decision, it’s a strategic decision” – Marty Neumeier
“Design is not a thing you do, it’s a thing you are” – Paul Rand
“Design is thinking made visible” -Saul Bass
“Design is not for philosophy, it’s for life” – Issey Miyake
These statements underline the importance of design is about more than simply the visual, as well as functionality, and issue resolution, as well as a strategic and comprehensive approach to the design process. Interaction design is an ever-changing subject, and interaction designers must keep up with the newest design tools, technologies, and best practices in order to develop interfaces that are both useful and beautiful.
Recommender Systems are the AI that suggests YouTube videos or Netflix shows you might like, curates social media posts based on your interests, or creepily shows you ads for a book you were just discussing with a friend. This AI combines supervised and unsupervised learning systems, meaning that it works with data sets (unsupervised) and also responds to the decisions you are making (supervised).
Most recommender systems combine three recommendation types: content-based, social, and personalized. Content-based recommendations ignore the user and recommend based on the quality or recency of the content. Social recommendations favour what is most popular, based on likes, subscriptions, amount of purchases, etc. Personalized recommendations are based on what you, specifically, are interested in. For example, a YouTube video might be recommended to you because you have previously engaged with that channel, or because users similar to you watched it, or both.
A few issues with recommender systems include the creation of ideological echo chambers – where we are trapped in a bubble of people who think exactly like us, which can have serious social consequences. Additionally, recommendations can be based on harmful stereotypes. Less serious issues might be missing a show you would have liked, because the AI thought it didn’t match your preferences, or seeing ads for products you just bought, or websites you just visited.
Each of us experiences a different version of the internet. Recommender systems aren’t going anywhere anytime soon, and to coexist with AI in an ethical and knowledgeable way, it is our responsibility to understand how AI influences our everyday lives
Christopher Alexander was an architect and professor of architecture, born in Vienna 1936. He died in March 2022 in England. His family left Vienna when he was two years old because of takeover of the nazi regime and went to Oxford were his parents worked as german teachers. He went to Cambridge and after that went to architecture school at Harvard, where he earned a Ph.D. in 1963. In the same year he became professor of architecture at the University of California, Berkeley until 1998. [1]
His book “A Pattern Language: Towns, Buildings, Construction” (1977) inspired the upcoming software community. He wrote an introduction for Richard Gabriel’s book “Patterns of Software”. In 1996 he was invited to give a speech at a software conference in San Jose, California at the ACM Conference on Object-Oriented Programs, Systems, Languages, and Applications (OOPSLA). [2] In his speech he provided an overview of his former studies and approaches the question of the connection between his work and the computer science. From the very beginning of his studies he searched for the soul of buildings. Today we would call it human-centered architecture. His ideas are similar also to the UX process. He wanted to bring more live into buildings and also include normal people to design their houses, not leave everything to the architect. [3]
He used the term “living structure” a lot, which meant to him the feeling a building evokes in people. Back then the modern structure of the buildings were functional but for many people the buildings didn´t feel comfortable. One of the characteristics of any good environment is that every part of the environment works as a whole. In his first book he tried to find the features which makes the building and its surroundings positive and create a good and health feeling. He wanted a more hands-on handbook which collects all the information to get a good result even for non-architects. He studied generative schemes or instructions of traditional cultures. One of the things he researched on was to find the impact on our life and get an holistic approach. In his book he explained things which are good for people – like warm colours, improving the daylight, entrances etc. and finding the ideal proportions for houses. What was the method to find out if the one design of a chair has a more living structure than the other design? He and his team did simple empirical experiments by asking people if they feel more whole with this or that object or in this or that building. The asked questions like: “Do you feel more whole? Do you feel more alive in the presence of this thing? Do you feel that this one is more of a picture of your own true self than this thing you know whatever?”[4] A lot of architects dismissed the findings because they said there is no objectivity about life or quality but Alexander could prove an 80-90% agreement on what a living structure is. The conclusion was that what people find more living and what makes them more whole is not just a personal question and can lead to certain pattern which have a highly approach to be good design. His book should lead to better architecture which makes people feel good. But not only following the advices written in the book but also the process is important for creating a good result. There is a good way to do things and a bad one, according to this the result of the things will be good or bad. When it comes to software there is no sense in asking if this or that object in the code has more live or if a program makes you feel more whole by observing the code. In Software Development they could use the concept as a format. Also the idea with the process is an important aspect. A process can help produce good code an therefore good programms. [5]
Everything we see in our surroundings raises our spirits a bit or lowers them a bit.
The origins of pattern theory, C. Alexander, “The origins of pattern theory: the future of the theory, and the generation of a living world,” in IEEE Software, vol. 16, no. 5, pp. 71-82, Sept.-Oct. 1999, doi: 10.1109/52.795104.
Christopher Alexander in: The origins of pattern theory, C. Alexander, “The origins of pattern theory: the future of the theory, and the generation of a living world,” in IEEE Software, vol. 16, no. 5, pp. 71-82, Sept.-Oct. 1999, doi: 10.1109/52.795104.
The origins of pattern theory, C. Alexander, “The origins of pattern theory: the future of the theory, and the generation of a living world,” in IEEE Software, vol. 16, no. 5, pp. 71-82, Sept.-Oct. 1999, doi: 10.1109/52.795104.
The Instagram algorithm is a complex system that uses machine learning and data analysis to personalize the content that is shown to each user. The algorithm takes into account various factors such as the user’s past behavior, engagement levels, and interests to determine what content is most relevant to them.
One of the main ways the algorithm works is by prioritizing content from accounts that the user engages with frequently. This means that if a user frequently likes, comments, and shares posts from a particular account, that account’s posts will be more likely to appear at the top of their feed. This can lead to a filter bubble effect, where users are only exposed to content that they already agree with or are interested in, and they miss out on diverse perspectives and ideas.
Another way the algorithm works is by analyzing the engagement levels on posts. Posts that receive a lot of likes, comments, and shares are considered to be more popular and relevant, and will be shown to more users. This can lead to a popularity contest on the platform, where users are encouraged to create content that is likely to get a lot of engagement, rather than content that is meaningful or important to them.
The algorithm also uses a process called “shadowbanning” to limit the visibility of certain accounts or hashtags. This can happen when an account or hashtag is deemed to be in violation of Instagram’s guidelines or is considered to be spammy. This can have a significant impact on the reach and engagement of an account, and it can be difficult for the account owner to determine why their content is not being seen by as many people.
In summary, the Instagram algorithm is designed to personalize the content that is shown to each user, but it can also lead to filter bubbles, popularity contests, and shadowbanning, that can limit the diversity of perspectives and ideas that users are exposed to and can manipulate them into creating and engaging with certain type of content.
At the end of November last year, the San Francisco based software giant OpenAI released ChatGPT – the most powerful chatbot yet – transforming our relationship with AI in a matter of days. ChatGPT can debug code, both providing and explaining its solutions, write a persuasive essay for your high school English class, compose lyrical poetry or write alternate endings to your favourite books and movie scripts. Over 1 million people signed up to test it within the first five days.
A poem generated by ChatGPTChatGPT’s response to the prompt “What do pushMatrix() and popMatrix() functions do?”
Unlike previous “stateless” chatbots, ChatGPT remembers its conversation history with you, enabling more complex and personal interactions, and leading many to wonder if ChatGPT could replace Google. Some think that the software spells the end of the educational system as we know it. Mere weeks after ChatGPT’s launch, a Princeton University student developed GPTZero, a system to detect ChatGPT usage, but it’s far from perfect. New York TImes technology columnist Kevin Roose argues that educators would be better off learning to work with ChatGPT and other AI, as software of this kind will only multiply and improve going forward. Roose also argues that students should be learning how to exist in the world they will graduate into, and living alongside powerful AI tools is a prerequisite.
A similar angle could be taken with regards to ChatGPT’s role in the design community. Some fear that the AI will put web developers out a job, but others argue that developers who know how to work with GPT will simply become more efficient and employable, and that for all affected industries, keeping up to date and familiar with this kind of software is critical as it changes the face of our technological world.
I asked ChatGPT to rewrite the above blog post be more concise and engaging
For a lot of people, the official city website is the point from which they define where they need to go or what they need to do for a certain solution to be achieved. And refugees are no exception.
Government websites serve a variety of helpful functions. It’s crucial to remember that citizens visit government websites for relevant, educational, and, in some cases, urgent information. Today, people expect to find everything online, which means answers to their questions as well. For this, I analyzed and compared the official London city [1] and Vienna city websites. [2]
In 2022 a new London city website was launched. They conducted user interviews (with Londoners) to create a clean, accessible design. [3]
What you instantly see on the main page: – Information about what Mayor and Assembly do – Upcoming events – Priorities – News – Tweets from Mayor
But every piece of information has its own block, which makes it easier to understand what you’re looking at. Compared to the Vienna city website, the first thing we see here is – a lot of information in different places.
For example, it would be more difficult for a Ukrainian refugee to spot the information about help because every font looks almost the same (so there is no recognition of what is the headline, regular text, important news, etc.) and photos chosen for the specific information don’t actually represent them.
London city websiteVienna city website
So, if you need to find a specific answer to your question, you would probably need to go through a lot of text and download a lot of PDFs + the information, that will be available to you depends on the language you choose, which can make a person go through more “work” just to find what they need.
Vienna city website doesn’t seem to have its information regularly updated, whereas the UK government uses the London city website to update about their work, what they do for people, and their plans. It is even possible to watch videos about their strategic plans for the future of the city.
ITIF [4] confirmed that 41% of government websites fail the usability test, meaning that these sites had a substantial number of known problems that might prevent someone with a disability from using the site. This is important because the website stores important information for everyday life, and provides help and if it’s difficult for a person to get from point A to B, then it doesn’t reach its main goal. When people turn to government websites, they need to receive the answer as soon as possible, especially if they are a refugee. So, the answer is – yes, government websites can definitely affect certain aspects of life, how easy or difficult you will find your way into living in the city/country.
The Lifelong Kindergarten group at the MIT Media Lab is focused on using technology to support creative learning and playful expression. One of their main research areas is based on a constructivism-based approach, an educational theory that emphasizes the role of active learning and experimentation in the learning process. This approach is one of the key elements that make Lifelong Kindergarten projects accessible and easy to use for people of all ages.
While the Lifelong Kindergarten group’s work is primarily focused on how technology can be used to support creative learning and playful expression, it also overlaps with the field of tangible user interfaces (TUIs). TUIs are a type of user interface that uses physical objects or devices to control and interact with digital information or systems. This can include interactive tables and walls or physical objects such as buttons, knobs, and other controls that can be manipulated by the user.
MIT Media Lab edited by Edwin Lang
Museums and science centers are increasingly incorporating TUIs into their exhibits to enhance the visitor experience. By using physical objects to control digital information and systems, visitors can engage with the exhibit in a more intuitive and natural way. For example, an exhibit about physical forces could be build with a TUI that allows visitors to explore different forces and motion by moving physical objects on a table and visualizing the effects.
Hiroshi Ishii (2008)
One of the key aspects of TUIs is the use of physical objects to control digital information and systems. This is something that the Lifelong Kindergarten group’s approach also involves, as it is based on constructivism, which emphasizes the role of active learning and experimentation in the learning process. This approach makes learning and digital interaction more accessible and tangible, especially for children and others.
An effective interaction design for a sustainable future will emphasize user demands and goals while simultaneously considering the product or service’s environmental impact. This could include using sustainable materials, conserving energy, and planning for ease of repair and recycling. It could also include features that support sustainable behavior, such as tracking and boosting energy efficiency. The main goal would be to produce a design that is user-friendly and accessible while also supporting long-term sustainability. More specifically, a successful interaction design for a sustainable future may incorporate the following elements:
Efficient and user-friendly interface: The design should be simple to use and comprehend, with clear and unambiguous instructions and feedback.
Minimalistic environmental impact: The materials and manufacturing processes used should minimize environmental harm and promote sustainability.
Energy-saving features: The design should include features that reduce energy consumption, such as automatic shut-off or sleep modes.
Durability and longevity: The product should be designed to last as long as possible, with easy-to-repair or upgrade components.
Encourages sustainable behaviors: The design should include features that encourage sustainable behavior, such as tracking and promoting energy efficiency, or providing feedback on environmental impact.
Accessibility: The design should be inclusive, taking into account the needs of those with impairments, older folks, and users with low literacy.
Circular Economy Consideration: The product should be built so that materials may be easily reused and recycled at the end of its life cycle.
That being mentioned we would then like to draw your attention to some of the practical examples of successful interaction design applications for a sustainable future. Of course, the list is not exhaustive.
Energy-efficient home appliances: Interaction design can make home appliances more energy-efficient by making it easy for users to adjust settings, monitor usage, and schedule usage for off-peak hours. For example, smart thermostats can be controlled through a mobile app and can learn user preferences and automatically adjust settings to conserve energy.
Sustainable transportation: Interaction design can encourage sustainable transportation by making it easy for users to plan and track their journeys, find the nearest public transportation, and pay for fares using mobile apps. Especially with newly trending electric and self-driving cars, usability and affordance should gain focus while designing in order to drive the interest of the customers and users.
Recycling and waste management: Interaction design can make recycling and waste management more efficient by providing clear, easy-to-understand instructions for sorting and disposing of waste, and by using sensors and other technologies to track waste and alert users when it needs to be disposed of.
Sustainable food choices: Interaction design can help people make more sustainable food choices by providing information about the environmental impact of different foods, and by making it easy for people to find and purchase locally-sourced and organic foods.
Sustainable travel: Interaction design can encourage sustainable travel by making it easy for users to plan and book trips that have minimal environmental impacts, such as by providing information about carbon offset options or eco-friendly accommodations. Also, how do we encourage the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions through the design of engaging and useful transportation solutions?
Sustainable fashion: Interaction design can encourage sustainable fashion by providing information about the environmental impact of different fabrics and clothing production methods, and by making it easy for users to find and purchase sustainable clothing options.
Here is also some descriptive example of sustainable design patterns that can be implemented in buildings
Green roofs: This is a sustainable design pattern in which vegetation is grown on the roof of a building. This not only helps to reduce the heat island effect but also helps to insulate the building and reduce stormwater runoff.
Passive solar design: This is a design pattern that utilizes the sun’s energy to heat and cool a building. This can be achieved through the use of large windows that face the sun, thermal mass materials that absorb and store heat, and strategic shading and ventilation to control temperature.
Rainwater harvesting: This is a design pattern that involves the collection and storage of rainwater for later use, such as for irrigation or flushing toilets. This helps to reduce the demand for municipal water supplies and can help to mitigate the effects of drought.
Biophilic design: This is a design pattern that incorporates elements of nature, such as plants, water, and natural light, into the built environment. This can help to improve the well-being of building occupants and can also help to reduce energy consumption.
Human-centered approaches to sustainable design are concerned with developing products, services, and systems that meet people’s needs while simultaneously protecting the environment. This approach highlights the necessity of incorporating users and stakeholders in the design process to ensure that solutions are personalized to their individual needs and are more likely to be adopted and used in long-term ways. As such we must:
Highlight the significance of user research by conducting research to better understand user needs, behaviors, and preferences, and then utilize this knowledge to build more sustainable products and services.
Involve users and other stakeholders in the design process, and encourage collaboration and co-creation to produce new ideas and solutions.
Design for behavior change using design to encourage sustainable behaviors, such as reducing water usage or conserving energy.
Make sustainability accessible and understandable by making sustainability accessible and intelligible to consumers by using clear and straightforward language, images, and other design components.
Make sustainability appealing with the use of design to make sustainable products and services appealing to customers rather than being regarded as a burden.
Prioritize accessibility and inclusivity while ensuring that sustainable products and services are accessible and inclusive, taking into account the requirements of various groups, such as people with disabilities and those living in low-income neighborhoods.
Continuously assess and improve: Based on feedback from users and other stakeholders, continuously analyze and improve sustainable products and services, and adapt tactics accordingly.
In the process of personalizing solutions, one may argue that we are less concerned with the user and more interested in implementing the next technological innovation. The point is that we must incorporate a human-centered approach into the technologies we are implementing. This raises the question of the role of technology in sustainability.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are the world’s common plan to end extreme poverty, decrease inequality, and safeguard the planet by 2030, according to the UN. Every country must provide its necessities for work, food, energy, water, and sanitation. Everyone has the right to live in a healthy, safe, and clean environment. This is easily accomplished by lowering pollution, poverty, and unemployment.
Technology’s role in sustainable development is to assist companies in achieving net-zero and other environmental, social, and governance goals. Leading companies are already using technological accelerators to achieve their environmental goals.
The impact of technology on the environment and society is considered in sustainable development. We must investigate how new technologies might contribute to more ecological, economic, and social sustainability.
Without a question, most countries strive to adhere to the objectives of sustainable development. In essence, this means not only maintaining future generations’ growth potential but also promoting social justice inside and between nationals, as well as within national borders.
Concentrating on ecologically beneficial forms of production and consumption, for example, could help address forward-looking studies on the effects of digitalization, climate protection, and energy system transformation. In the realm of higher education, we should strive to employ technology to bridge the gap between technological progress and social implications.
To begin with, sustainability cannot be “mandated” or regarded until the finished technology is established. Rather, fundamental sustainability concepts must be incorporated as early as feasible in the development of new technologies to extend the research perspective of technology assessment [1].
This strategy is intended to produce technical solutions that contribute to societal sustainable development through the application of sustainable design principles while also addressing how to improve the sustainability of innovation processes and how to share technological breakthroughs in a sustainable manner.
Sustainable design as an approach includes environmental, social, and economic issues to develop ecologically responsible and resource-efficient goods, buildings, and infrastructure throughout their existence. Green roofs, solar panels, rainwater harvesting, natural ventilation, and energy-efficient lighting are examples of such features. It can also include the use of sustainable materials and the incorporation of natural aspects such as green spaces and natural light into the design. Sustainable design can help to reduce the environmental effect of buildings and infrastructure, improve occupant health and well-being, and make communities more livable and resilient.
All those examples are also often referred to as technology. That is the main reason why we need to find a way to make it easy to transfer technology wherever there are needed. Technology is crucial to sustainability because it allows for the development and implementation of more efficient and environmentally friendly products, processes, and systems. Here are a few examples:
Renewable energy technologies, such as solar and wind power, can reduce reliance on fossil fuels while also lowering greenhouse gas emissions.
Smart grid systems, can improve energy efficiency and reduce waste by allowing for better management and distribution of electricity.
Energy-efficient building technologies, such as LED lighting and smart thermostats, can reduce energy consumption and lower emissions. Energy-efficient LED lighting is quickly replacing traditional incandescent bulbs in American homes and is expected to achieve 84 percent market share by 203[2].
Electric vehicles, can reduce dependence on fossil fuels and decrease air pollution.
Water treatment and conservation technologies can help to reduce water waste and improve water quality.
Precision farming, for example, is a sustainable agricultural technology that can enhance crop yields while using less water and other resources.
Industrial recycling and waste management technologies can help to reduce waste and pollution.
Technology can help achieve sustainability by increasing efficiency, lowering resource consumption, and limiting environmental effects.
Technology can play a critical role in helping to create a more sustainable future for all by enabling the development and implementation of more efficient and environmentally friendly products, processes, and systems. Some ways that technology can help to sustain a better future for all include:
Increasing energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy sources: as we mentioned earlier, technologies such as smart grid systems, energy storage, and renewable energy systems can help to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and decrease greenhouse gas emissions.
Improving water and waste management: Technologies such as water treatment and conservation systems, and industrial recycling and waste management can help to reduce water waste and pollution and improve the overall sustainability of our communities.
Enabling sustainable transportation: Electric vehicles, bike-sharing systems, and public transportation systems powered by renewable energy can help to reduce emissions and improve air quality.
Advancing sustainable agriculture: Technologies such as precision farming, precision irrigation, and crop monitoring systems can help to increase crop yields, reduce water use and improve the overall sustainability of agriculture.
Supporting sustainable design and building: Technologies such as Building Information Modelling (BIM), smart building systems, and sustainable materials can help to reduce the environmental impact of buildings and infrastructure, and improve the health and well-being of occupants.
Facilitating sustainable communities: Technologies such as smart city systems and sustainable urban planning tools can help to create more livable and resilient communities.
Encouraging sustainable consumption: Technologies such as product tracking and transparency, and e-commerce platforms can help to increase the transparency of products and enable consumers to make more sustainable choices.
By utilizing technology, we can create more efficient, sustainable systems and reduce the negative impact of human activities on the environment, which in turn will lead to a better future for all.
Technology has had a profound impact on society and the environment. On the one hand, technology has permitted many breakthroughs that have enhanced people’s quality of life around the world, such as improved communication, transportation, and information access. On the other hand, technology has exacerbated several environmental issues, including pollution, climate change, and resource depletion.
Environmental impact: The manufacture and disposal of technological items can have a major environmental impact. For example, mining minerals for electronic devices can devastate habitats, and disposing of outdated electronics can result in harmful pollution. Additionally, technology products often require large amounts of energy to operate, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change.
Social impact: technology can have both positive and harmful effects on society. On the one hand, technology has the potential to connect people, encourage education, and improve information access. Technology, on the other side, can lead to social isolation, addiction, and the propagation of misinformation. Furthermore, because access to technology is not always equitable, technology can worsen societal inequities.
Economic impact: Technology has the potential to have a substantial economic influence. For example, it may result in employment displacement and automation, but it may also result in the creation of new jobs and possibilities. It can also contribute to increased economic growth and productivity.
Political impact: Technology has the potential to have a huge impact on politics. It can, for example, increase citizen engagement and participation in the political process, but it can also be used to disseminate misinformation and propaganda, undermining democracy.
As you would have understood technology has the potential to be a strong force for good, but it is critical to be aware of its negative consequences and to use technology responsibly, in a way that is sustainable for the environment and society.
Overall, A human-centered approach to sustainability prioritizes addressing the needs of current and future generations while safeguarding the planet’s natural resources. This strategy considers the social, economic, and environmental elements that influence people’s well-being and attempts to balance them in an equitable and sustainable manner.
Through a human-centered approach, technology plays a key role in attaining sustainability. It can help to improve energy efficiency, minimize waste, and increase natural resource production. Renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power, for example, can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and dependence on fossil fuels. Smart building technologies can also enhance energy efficiency and lessen a building’s environmental effects. Digital technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT) and big data analytics can also be utilized to improve resource consumption and eliminate waste.
It is crucial to highlight, however, that technology is not a panacea for sustainability challenges. A human-centered approach also addresses technology’s social and economic ramifications, ensuring that it serves all members of society. Furthermore, technology should be implemented in a manner that respects human rights and promotes social fairness.
How does technology help a human-centered approach to achieve sustainability goals with design?
Technology can help a human-centered approach to achieve sustainability goals through design in several ways:
Designing for efficiency: Technology can be leveraged to create more energy and resource-efficient goods, buildings, and systems. Building information modeling (BIM), for example, can assist architects and engineers in designing buildings that are more energy-efficient and have a smaller environmental imprint.
Adaptability design: Technology can also be utilized to create systems that are more flexible to changing conditions. Smart building technology, for example, can be used to monitor and modify heating, cooling, and lighting systems in response to weather and occupancy changes.
Designing for engagement: Technology can be leveraged to create more engaging and interactive systems for users. The Internet of Things (IoT), for example, can be used to create buildings that provide real-time information on energy usage and resource use, which can assist drive people to save resources.
Designing for community: Technology can be utilized to create more inclusive and engaging systems for communities. Using digital platforms, for example, can help to improve community interaction and participation in the design and planning of sustainable activities.
Monitoring design: Technology can be utilized to create systems that monitor and track the performance of sustainable systems. Sensor networks and data analytics, for example, can be used to track and assess the environmental performance of buildings, transit systems, and other infrastructure.
It is vital to stress that technology should be utilized in a way that respects human rights and promotes social fairness, and it should be incorporated into a design process that includes all stakeholders, where all perspectives are heard and considered in the design process.
As we are discussing humans and their interactions with technology. This gave rise to another component of design known as UX (or User Experience design). The question then becomes, How Can UX Make Products More Sustainable? By examining the whole lifecycle of a product, from its design and development to its usage and disposal, UX design may make goods more sustainable. This involves choosing environmentally friendly materials, designing products that are simple to repair and upgrade, and developing interfaces that encourage energy-efficient usage. Furthermore, UX designers can create goods that are intended to be reused or recycled rather than being discarded. Overall, the purpose of sustainable UX design is to produce products that are both practical and eco-friendly.
The majority of those affected do not seek treatment.
Only 19% of all 17.8 million people with a 12-month diagnosis say they have visited the health care system because of their mental health problems in the last year. 16% of these people received outpatient treatment, 2.3% received inpatient treatment, and 3.5% received services from complementary institutions (e.g., counseling centers or self-help groups). This is only about 3.4 million people.
Only one in five of those suffering seek treatment.
Sociodemographic differences are also evident in the utilization of the health care system. Women are more likely to seek professional help than men. Regardless of gender, older people are least likely to seek therapy (women 15%; men 4%). In the context of higher rates of illness among people of lower socioeconomic status, unemployed people are significantly more likely than employed people to report having sought treatment in their lifetime (48% vs. 38% among employed people). Looking at the different medical conditions, differences in utilization behavior also emerge. People suffering from social phobia, generalized anxiety disorder, dysthymia, panic disorder and psychotic disorder are the most likely to report having sought treatment in the past 12 months (between 40% and 50%). Substance-related disorders and eating disorders are the groups with the lowest utilization rates (between 10% and 25%). The more diseases a person has, the more likely he or she is to seek help from the health system. Nevertheless, even with 4 or more illnesses, only about 40% of those with the illness report having sought treatment.
The utilization of the health care system also depends on the condition in question.
The abovementioned data clearly indicate that mental illnesses affect large parts of the population. Some groups are particularly at risk of developing mental disorders. In addition, it is clear that many people who suffer from psychological illnesses do not get the help they need. The reason why so few people seek treatment will be discussed in the next blog entry.
