Evaluating the Double-Deck Desk

The Double Deck Desk (Dddesk) was a two-storied work station with accompanying software that we installed in the foyer of a large office building over a two-week period. Evolved from several iterations of speculative design proposals, it addressed the need for contemplation within the workplace by literally lifting people from everyday commotion and by providing software that encouraged people to reflect on their activities and aspirations. Assessing the contribution of such a project is not simple. We suggest that traditional HCI criteria are inappropriate, and instead the Dddesk and the proposals that preceded it should be seen as embodied narratives. They serve as ‘projective objects,’ eliciting stories from people that highlight issues relevant for design.