Ben Stopher

Ben’s research explores experimental tools for supporting design work amongst people. Specifically, through speculative prototyping, his research develops a discussion of the potentials of experimental digital tools in the context of design ideation. In evaluating the potential of ad-hoc meshes of platforms and services assembled by design practitioners specifically to support ideation Ben’s research develops ideas of collaborative and augmented, design practice. 

Theoretically, Ben’s research explores the intersection of ideas such as strategic design (Hill, D) and relational design (Blauvelt, A), (Bourriaud, N) in an applied context. For example, ideas informing pilot studies propose that enacting strategic design requires the augmentation of networked information systems to overcome the increasing effects of knowledge silos and specialisation. A conceptual framework of relational design helps to establish the ontological basis for experimental algorithmic systems and tools.

Ben’s research specifically uses multimodality to examine the interaction of people and technology from a communication perspective. Furthermore, Ben’s research also examines the historical context for computational thinking around augmentation, examining the birth of these ideas in computer science in Douglas Engelbart’s famous paper ‘Augmenting Human Intellect: A Conceptual Framework’ and exploring ideas from communication theorists such as Marshal McLuhan. Specifically, the ideas embodied in Father John Culkin’s McLuhanesque phrase “We Shape Our Tools, and Then Our Tools Shape Us” greatly informs the macro context of Ben’s research. 

Ben’s research examines how experimental digital tools for design ideation offer insight into how the specific media effects of these tools will change both the understanding and practice of design.