This paper describes the principles, methods and strategies for the design of everyday objects that embody data – or Data Objects. The work presented in the paper connects the fields of industrial design and data physicalisation to introduce the concept of using data as a design material. To support the creative synthesis of Data Objects the paper provides a literature review, methods and guidance on the creation of Data Objects alongside examples - and possible opportunities, challenges, and future scenarios - for the practice, use and the study of Data Objects. Keywords: Big Data; Design Principles; Design Methods; Speculative Design; Design Activism.

1. Data Objects: Design principles
for data physicalisation
R. Sosa, V. Gerrard, A. Esparza, R. Torres and R. Napper
Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand & Monash University, Australia
ricardo.sosa@monash.edu
International Design Conference 2018 :: D316
https://doi.org/10.21278/idc.2018.0125

2. TL;DR
Data Objects:
Everyday objects that embody data
Data as a design material
A literature review, principles, methods & case study
Opportunities, challenges, and future scenarios
ricardo.sosa@monash.edu

3. TL;DR
ricardo.sosa@monash.edu

4. r/ELI5
vicroads.vic.gov.au: Interactive crashstats application
http://www.pakemanprimary.co.uk/blog/senses/

5. r/dataisbeautiful
vicroads.vic.gov.au: Interactive crashstats application

6. r/mapPorn
vicroads.vic.gov.au: Interactive crashstats application

7. r/infographics
vicroads.vic.gov.au: Interactive crashstats application

8. r/showerthoughts
https://www.iconspng.com/image/1011/monitor-screen

9. r/whatif
https://collection.cooperhewitt.org/objects/35457323/
“Ititamat ball (Klikitat and Yakama):
Simple knots recorded individual days,
while meaningful occasions, such as
marriages, births, or deaths were
highlighted with special markers. They
contain the history of family and
extended community”

10. Data Objects:
morphology
and/or functions
are data-driven
The artefact’s
defining attributes
are derived from
and connected to
quantitative data
http://dataphys.org
http://dataphys.org

11. r/LifeProTips
Design Principles for Data Objects:
1: Data as a new type of design material
2: Design for access and interpretation
3: Design for cognitive and emotional engagement
4: Design for empowerment and action
Design principles (Martin and Hanington, 2012) and data visualisation principles (Tufte, 1990, 2001; Kostelnick, 2008)

12. r/LifeProTips
Design Methods for Data Objects:
I. Data-to-Object: the source data guide the design
process
II. Object-to-Data: the target object guides the
design process
ricardo.sosa@monash.edu

13. r/Design

14. r/Design
This Table is Occupied: the richest 20% owns 82.7% of global wealth while 80% only
17.3%. This table seats 5 people – each representing 20% of the global population. One
person enjoys 82.7% of table surface area while the remaining five only access 17.3%

15. r/Design
This Table is Occupied: If the table is flipped over, the distribution of table surface is the
same for each person. The difficult activity of flipping a concrete table represents the
difficult task of flipping current economic systems

16. r/esist
Design Objects for Design Activism (DOxDA)
To re-frame and expose significant issues through
verifiable, accurate, and tangible data.
To increase the impact of making information
comprehensible to wide groups of people.
Fuad-Luke, 2013; Thorpe, 2012; Bjögvinsson et al., 2012; Meadows, 1997

17. DIY Data Object
Hands-on activity
r/therewasanattempt

18. 2003-04 2011-12
Lowest quintile 30,439 31,205
Second quintile 175,385 191,207
Third quintile 370,230 437,856
Fourth quintile 623,850 766,465
Highest quintile 1,726,151 2,215,032
65540DO001_201112 Household Wealth and Wealth Distribution, Australia, 2011–12. Australian Bureau of Statistics
r/todayilearned

19. r/AMA
r/changemyview
Thank you
Hvala
ricardo.sosa@monash.edu

20. Quipu necklace, Andes region circa 30th century BC (http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/quipu.htm)
r/DesignPorn