SiTable: Attending Slow Technology Qualities from Literature

Slow technology has been explored in HCI to mediate longitudinal human-technology relations. Previous works have focused on taking a practical-led approach to identify slow technology qualities. Yet, there is a need to further explore how different qualities could co-exist and constructively support one another. In this work, we present an analysis of six previous slow technology artifacts and extract the key design qualities. We contribute to the manifestation of these qualities in practice through the design and development of SiTable. SiTable is an object that resurfaces the past data collectively as a household. The flat top surface encourages open-ended engagements that one believes SiTable could afford, while the material presence and aesthetics create a lived-with experience in the everyday domestic context. Through the temporal shape changing of SiTable, it could foster bonding moments in the households. We conclude with reflections and implications for the design research practice of slow technology.