Posthuman factors

Posthuman Factors is a strategically pragmatic approach to design, operating as an intuitive extension of posthuman theory in action. First articulated by Haakon Faste in his doctoral dissertation and subsequent writings on perceptual robotics and art, posthuman factors uses human-centered design as the basis for exploring speculative futures in which the humans in question are no longer human.
In general, posthuman factors addresses the intersection of design practices that includes (1) the design of posthumans, (2) designing for such posthumans, especially in safe and sustainable ways, and (3) designing the design methodologies that will supersede human-centered design (i.e., "posthuman-centered design", or the processes of design that posthumans employ). The field uses speculative approaches of design and design strategy, and is especially skeptical of "humanist" values, mores, and practices in design. In this regard it can be considered an offshoot of critical design, which "will often challenge its audience's preconceptions and expectations thereby provoking new ways of thinking about the object, its use, and the surrounding environment."
Just as the field of human factors grew out of engineering in reaction to the proliferation of mechanical systems that are dangerous or difficult for humans to use, posthuman factors considers the dangers of not adequately considering the potentially dangerous uses of posthuman systems. It both builds on and opposes the principles of human-centered design, rejecting the humanist values on which much contemporary design practice is based while extending some of the values and ideals it espouses (such as compassion and altruism) to posthuman beings. Like critical design it is "more of an attitude than style or movement; a position rather than a method", but it is ultimately antithetical to "critical" approaches, building instead on design thinking practices rooted in personal intuition and self-realization.

Main Menu

See Also

Main Menu