Shroom Cards: Playful Exploration of Human Positionalities for More-than-Human Design

Abstract

This paper introduces Shroom Cards, a novel tool designed to engage with More-than-Human (MtH) design through playful exploration and reflection. Leveraging design cards and structured activities, Shroom Cards provides concrete starting points to practically engage with MtH approaches in design, such as embodying the roles and purposes of human and non-human entities. In this paper, we detail the design process, which includes Reflective Design Studio exercises to create positionality cards and incorporating playful strategies such as exploration, role-playing, and competition in the structured ideation and reflection activities. Initial testing of the Shroom Cards in an HCI design course students (N=23) shows that the cards and ideation activity effectively stimulate creative processes and diverse perspectives. However, challenges remain in fully adopting non-human viewpoints, suggesting that enhanced role-playing elements are needed for deeper engagement with non-human perspectives.