Social Gothenburg: A design exhibition exploring urban life through Interaction Design
On October 20, master’s students from the course "Interaction Design Methodology" presented their Design Exhibition: Social Gothenburg in the premises of Kuggen Learning Commons at Lindholmen. The exhibition brought together innovative and socially engaged projects, highlighting how interaction design can foster connection and inclusion in urban environments.
The Interaction Design Methodology course is one of the foundational courses in the Master’s program in Interaction Design at Chalmers. It is also open to students from the program "Game Design & Technology" at University of Gothenburg, and to international exchange students. This interdisciplinary mix creates a vibrant learning environment where students explore diverse perspectives on design, technology, and society.
Exploring Gothenburg through design research
During the course, students worked in groups to investigate twelve different areas of Gothenburg. Using ethnographic research methods – such as field observations, interviews, and contextual analysis – they explored how people live, move, and interact in the city. These investigations helped the students uncover local needs, challenges, and opportunities for more social and connected urban experiences.
Through iterative design processes, the students developed creative, user-centered, and inclusive interactive design solutions that respond directly to their field findings. Their work reflects the essence of interaction design: understanding human experience, framing complex problems, and creating meaningful interventions that connect people and environments.
The exhibition: Social Gothenburg
The design exhibition Social Gothenburg presented the outcomes of these explorations. Visitors were invited to experience a range of interactive and conceptual design proposals addressing the social dynamics of Gothenburg – from quiet neighbourhoods to busy intersections. Each project represented a distinct interpretation of how design can enhance social presence, empathy, and communication in the urban landscape.
Designing a more connected city
The exhibition served not only as a presentation of design outcomes but also as a reflection on the role of interaction design in contemporary society. By engaging directly with the city’s social fabric, students demonstrated how design can act as a bridge between technology, people, and place.
As the exhibition title suggests, Social Gothenburg is about re-imagining what it means to live together in the city – rethinking “The Machine of the City” to make Gothenburg a more connected, social, and human place.
The course in Interaction Design Methodology is given as a course in the master's program Interaction Design and Technologies at Chalmers, and/or in the master's program Game Design & Technology at University of Gothenburg, and also as a freestanding course.