Abstract

Critical design arouses increasing interest in Human Computer Interaction (HCI). Critical Design is a relatively novel and a contentious design approach within this stream, while also other critical design approaches are emerging in HCI. Information systems research, then again, has been fascinated with critical research for decades and strongly integrated the critical lens into studies on systems development and use. However, critical information systems research is weak in the design practice -- very few studies actually involve design. We argue that combining the forces of these various critical traditions, an empowering approach to design can be developed. A categorization of critical design approaches is proposed and fascinating paths for future work are identified. Particularly we call for future developments on critical design research along two lines: expert-led critical design better integrating the tenets of the critical research tradition and user-led critical design truly advocating the empowerment of the power-weak.