Searching for Personal Territory in a Human-Computer Interaction Design Studio

Abstract

The literature regarding studio-based education suggests that personal space is an integral component of a studio-based pedagogy (Brandt et al., 2010; Demirbaş and Demirkan, 2000). However, the extant studio designed for a Human-Computer Interaction design (HCI/d) programme at the Masters level examined in this study does not offer any apparent provision for such space. This study aimed to determine if and how students in a studio-based HCI/d programme create and maintain personal space in a publicly accessible studio that does not explicitly provide space dedicated to individuals. The results of this study indicated a tendency toward group territoriality, with individual territoriality as a non-normative behaviour. These groups were generally ad hoc in construction, which presents a number of possible curriculum features by which students loosely form groups. The student’s personal computer and other personal items often indicated individual boundaries as well. The faculty design focused on integration of faculty and student spaces, public display of student work and studio-based classes. At this early stage, there are gaps between implementation and design. Opportunities for further research are explored.