Affective is effective: how information appliances can mediate relationships within communities and increase one’s social effectiveness

Technology is already used as a mediator in social relationships, but current appliances are rarely designed with social context in mind. In this paper, I propose alternative methods for designing products and services in a way that will empower their users within their social context and increase their social effectiveness. I will argue that incorporating human emotional needs in the design process considerations lead to a finished design that responds better to the user’s needs.