Methods for Applying Activity Theory to HCI Design

Activity Theory (AT) has been a recognised framework for enhancing design practices in HCI and related disciplines for a couple of decades. In most cases, AT has been deployed as an analytical framework for conceptualising user and contextual perspectives during systems design. However, the popularity of this framework has not yet resulted in operational methods and techniques that can easily and readily be applied in HCI design. The purpose of this workshop is to examine current methods and techniques based on AT so as to establish the feasibility of using this framework in HCI for practical design purposes. Given this remit, the term ‘HCI design’ is used in a much broader sense so as to incorporate the whole range of activities involved in the systems development process.