Calm Technologies 2.0: Visualising Social Data as an Experience in Physical Space

In this paper we present our research into the next generation of calm technologies utilizing information visualization where data is not rendered as graphs, charts, or diagrams on the screen, but as a sensual experience in physical space. It introduces a number of examples to establish the context and relevance for communication design and proceeds with presenting our current research framework in which the social activity of visiting a website is visualized in real-time, in the form of a natural and sensual display. The paper argues that a mediator between us and an overly intrusive Social Media such as Twitter, Friendfeed, and the approaching ‘realtime web’ is needed. This mediator should have minimal and reduced cues of expression while not sacrificing the warm and personal voice of a web-blog.