A breath of fresh air - Visualizing air quality for young adults

Abstract

This thesis presents a two-part research process exploring how to visualize the air quality for young adults living in Oslo. Through a user-centered design process, we explore how technology can be used to visualize air quality, making the topic more visible and understandable to the user group. In doing so, we explore how the air quality can be visualized through graphical and tangible user interfaces, by using visualization theories. The visualizations seek to show the relation between air quality and health, based on the users’ interests. This results in a new exploration of not only how to visualize, but how these visualizations can be used to facilitate action. By using research through design, four prototypes based on theory from persuasive design and decision making are developed to explore how to facilitate action through air quality visualizations, by using different technologies. These are discussed with users to determine what level of action that is appropriate to facilitate use. By using persuasive design to facilitate use and not to develop habits, we are providing practical examples of how to apply this theory to support and enable the users in taking informed choices when performing actions.