Empirical modelling principles for cognitive artefacts

Abstract

What is meant by a cognitive artefact? We adopt the following interpretation. A cognitive artefact is an object or environment that is contrived for interaction that imitates interaction with some other (typically real world) system. This means in particular that an artefact exhibits different states each of which corresponds to a state of the system it represents. Such a mode of representation can offer the possibility of open ended interaction, allowing the human interpreter to explore the correspondence between the artefact and its referent beyond its preconceived limits. Its open ended experiential nature distinguishes communication using artefacts from communication via documents expressed in a formal language, where the interpretation presumes a preconceived framework, and does not admit further elaboration. Cognitive artefacts typically serve a useful function in the design process in two rather different ways. There are artefacts with which the designer can interact in order to develop insight into the nature and current status of the object that is being designed. There are also artefacts which inform the designer about the current status and progress of the design process. Both kinds of representation are especially significant in relation to modern trends towards concurrent engineering (V.D. Adzhiev et al., 1994) and an emphasis on cognitive aspects of software development (T. Winograd, 1995). Artefacts of several different kinds are necessary to take account of the interaction between the object and a whole range of potential design participants, users and scenarios. (8 pages)