Activity-centered design: An appropriation issue

Abstract

When designing workplace computer systems one must take human activity into account. It has become standard practice to approach this issue through user-centered design. The aim of this paper is to stimulate thought on activity-centered design and to propose the concept of appropriation as a fundamental principle of this design approach. This orientation aims to take into consideration the constituent function of tools during conception. We will take the design of computer systems dedicated to customer relations as an example. © 2011 Springer-Verlag.