From the master's tool to an instrument of change: HCI design method subversion

Larisa Blazic; Sara Heitlinger; Alex S Taylor

doi:10.1145/3706599.3720035

From the master's tool to an instrument of change: HCI design method subversion

Larisa Blazic, Sara Heitlinger, Alex S Taylor

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution

Abstract

The dominant view of HCI design methods, aligned with profit-driven goals, reinforces existing power structures and economic inequality. Inspired by Aude Lorde's assertion that "the master's tools cannot dismantle the master's house,” this paper examines their potential to enable socially just, community-driven outcomes by subverting conventional methods like example mapping. We apply Amos Vogel's framework of subversion of form and content, using case study in cooperative and community land trust context. This research represents a novel approach as it specifically focuses on subverting a conventional design method to align with cooperative principles and economic justice. Findings highlight the importance of inclusivity, mutual aid, and community-centred processes in shifting technology design goals toward equity and collective ownership.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Proceedings of the Extended Abstracts of the CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems
Editors	Naomi Yamashita, Vanessa Evers, Koji Yatani, Xianghua Ding
Publisher	ACM Press
Pages	1-9
Number of pages	9
ISBN (Electronic)	9798400713958
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1145/3706599.3720035
Publication status	Published - 25 Apr 2025
Event	2025 Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems - PACIFICO Yokohama, Yokohama, Japan Duration: 26 Apr 2025 → 1 May 2025 https://chi2025.acm.org/

Conference

Conference	2025 Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems
Abbreviated title	CHI 2025
Country/Territory	Japan
City	Yokohama
Period	26/04/25 → 1/05/25
Internet address	https://chi2025.acm.org/

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

design methods subversion
example mapping
design sprint
participatory
design
critical design

Access to Document

10.1145/3706599.3720035

BlazicEtalCHIEA2025FromtheMaster’sToolFinal published version, 2.21 MB

Cite this

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title = "From the master's tool to an instrument of change: HCI design method subversion",

abstract = "The dominant view of HCI design methods, aligned with profit-driven goals, reinforces existing power structures and economic inequality. Inspired by Aude Lorde's assertion that {"}the master's tools cannot dismantle the master's house,” this paper examines their potential to enable socially just, community-driven outcomes by subverting conventional methods like example mapping. We apply Amos Vogel's framework of subversion of form and content, using case study in cooperative and community land trust context. This research represents a novel approach as it specifically focuses on subverting a conventional design method to align with cooperative principles and economic justice. Findings highlight the importance of inclusivity, mutual aid, and community-centred processes in shifting technology design goals toward equity and collective ownership.",

keywords = "design methods subversion, example mapping, design sprint, participatory, design, critical design",

author = "Larisa Blazic and Sara Heitlinger and Taylor, \{Alex S\}",

year = "2025",

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day = "25",

doi = "10.1145/3706599.3720035",

language = "English",

pages = "1--9",

editor = "Naomi Yamashita and Vanessa Evers and Koji Yatani and Xianghua Ding",

booktitle = "Proceedings of the Extended Abstracts of the CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems",

publisher = "ACM Press",

note = "2025 Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, CHI 2025 ; Conference date: 26-04-2025 Through 01-05-2025",

url = "https://chi2025.acm.org/",

}

Blazic, L, Heitlinger, S & Taylor, AS 2025, From the master's tool to an instrument of change: HCI design method subversion. in N Yamashita, V Evers, K Yatani & X Ding (eds), Proceedings of the Extended Abstracts of the CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems., 295, ACM Press, pp. 1-9, 2025 Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, Yokohama, Japan, 26/04/25. https://doi.org/10.1145/3706599.3720035

From the master's tool to an instrument of change: HCI design method subversion. / Blazic, Larisa; Heitlinger, Sara; Taylor, Alex S.
Proceedings of the Extended Abstracts of the CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems. ed. / Naomi Yamashita; Vanessa Evers; Koji Yatani; Xianghua Ding. ACM Press, 2025. p. 1-9 295.

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution

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N2 - The dominant view of HCI design methods, aligned with profit-driven goals, reinforces existing power structures and economic inequality. Inspired by Aude Lorde's assertion that "the master's tools cannot dismantle the master's house,” this paper examines their potential to enable socially just, community-driven outcomes by subverting conventional methods like example mapping. We apply Amos Vogel's framework of subversion of form and content, using case study in cooperative and community land trust context. This research represents a novel approach as it specifically focuses on subverting a conventional design method to align with cooperative principles and economic justice. Findings highlight the importance of inclusivity, mutual aid, and community-centred processes in shifting technology design goals toward equity and collective ownership.

AB - The dominant view of HCI design methods, aligned with profit-driven goals, reinforces existing power structures and economic inequality. Inspired by Aude Lorde's assertion that "the master's tools cannot dismantle the master's house,” this paper examines their potential to enable socially just, community-driven outcomes by subverting conventional methods like example mapping. We apply Amos Vogel's framework of subversion of form and content, using case study in cooperative and community land trust context. This research represents a novel approach as it specifically focuses on subverting a conventional design method to align with cooperative principles and economic justice. Findings highlight the importance of inclusivity, mutual aid, and community-centred processes in shifting technology design goals toward equity and collective ownership.

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KW - design sprint

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KW - design

KW - critical design

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From the master's tool to an instrument of change: HCI design method subversion

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Conference

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

Access to Document

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