Frankie: Exploring how Self-Tracking Technologies can go from Data-Centred to Human-Centred

Abstract

Self-tracking technologies have long promised to enhance our well-being. However, our initial work and that of others show that most of these technologies focus on data, not the user. Based on interviews, development of mood boards, and the creation of a research product, we propose an alternative approach to self-tracking: re-humanising self-tracking technologies. Our work shows that feelings play an important role with data, that data are temporal, and associated with work and utility. We interpret four design criteria, which are applied in the creation of Frankie: a human-centred tracking device which records both quantitative (number of activities) and qualitative (perceived weight of the activity and spoken reflections) data to foster self-reflection. Through this design case we add to the discussion on re-imagining self-tracking technologies to go beyond data-centric artefacts.