Collaborative Communication Tools for Designing: Physical-Cyber Environments

Designing for Physical–Cyber Environments (P–C E) will require a collaborative interdisciplinary approach. A Physical-Cyber Environment is my interpretation of an emergent hybrid, physical, digital mix, firmly grounded in physicality, which is technologically, digitally enabled and augmented. This landscape (P-C E) is an emerging possibility space where all types of products, services and environment will be possible. Designing for such complex environments will require the involvement of various disciplines, stakeholders and end end-users when appropriate. Each of these bringing with them their own internalized assumptions and thought processes, making understanding and discussion between the various parties potentially problematic. Tools are needed to aid productive dialogue between those involved. In this paper a selection of technologies in varying stages of development and concepts from science fiction are introduced to help describe the Physical-Cyber Environment. A discussion regarding difficulties in interdisciplinary collaboration and a description of a workshop called the “Alien Technology Workshop” designed to explore tools to aid productive collaborative discussions is also introduced.