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Upcoming Book Chapter 2017, The Power of Play: Codesigning Practices with Young Makers                  Author: Layda Gongora (pending)

Submitted Long Paper 2017, The Power of Play: “Exploring Bend Interaction as a Design Affordance in Co-design Process By Utilizing Theatrical Improvisation (RePlay) with Young Makers. In Interaction Design With Children Conference Proceedings, (IDC2017)                                                                                  Authors: Layda Gongora, Euan Fraser Tait

In this paper we describe a study that was part of an academic/industrial collaboration exploring bend interaction as a design affordance for conducting Co-design process with young makers. Co-designing is a progressive design strategy that involves designing with the users as design partners in the creation process. The results reflect activities and themes which the young makers explored when engaged
in tinkering with electronics and arts and craft materials. It also explores utilizing physical externalizations via the RePlay framework. This research contributes to understanding the value of maker inspired learning
including, the value of physical externalization (RePlay) as a tool for facilitating the design and learning process of young makers. It also engages in exploratory design research regarding the implementation of bend transformation as part of developing an electronic learning toy.

Submitted Abstract, Utilizing a Tangible Manipulative as Part of Maker Inspired Learning with Preschoolers, In 8th World Conference on Toy Research Proceedings (ITRA 2017). ECEAF, Rauma, Finland.     Authors: Layda Gongora

This proposed interdisciplinary research creation project is grounded in the fields of Technology and Early Childhood Education via Co-Design process involving children as equal members of the design team. Gongora, has conceptualized open source building blocks called Bendables with embedded circuitry and connections triggered by bend deformation. This research is focused on the developmental goals of this age group and utilizing technology as a creative tool to enhance and support learning through hands-on tangible interactions. Gongora's interested in how tangible manipulatives can contribute to experiential learning. Compared to the traditional use of apps or touch screen interfaces such as iPads for activities, a deformable
interface offers tactile interaction with technology where by feedback is experiential and physical rather then limited interaction with a flat screen device.

Submitted Abstract Facilitating Maker Inspired Learning Via Co-designing with Young Makers Utilizing the RePlay Method, In 8th World Conference on Toy Research Proceedings (ITRA 2017). ECEAF, Rauma, Finland.  Authors: Layda Gongora, Euan Fraser Tait

Service Design on Stage: Theatrical Improvisation for Participatory Design. Touchpoint Sept 2012: The Journal of Service Design. Vol4, 2, Cologne, Germany.                                                                                  Authors: Layda Gongora, Alan Dix    

This Case Study was conducted during my PhD and part of a month long study with children. RePlay was used as part of a bidirectional participatory design process within an applied architectural planning context in the Kabadkhana housing community in Bhopal, India. This was part of a project called Global studio whose focus is to promote community-driven projects that share a common goal: the promotion of inclusive urbanization through innovations in participatory design and planning. In this particular study we worked with slum children, urban planners, policy workers, and emerging as well as expert architects within the context of an inclusive urbanization project . Utilizing the RePlay method, we conducted participatory design exploring the needs and requirements of this unique community . The results of this study were used as a basis for creating architectural models were presented as part of a conference on inclusive urbanization to policy makers.

RePlay: Creativity in Action and the Philosophical and Cognitive Underpinnings of Improvisational
Theatre in the Design of Tangible Interfaces as an Embodied, Aware and Reflective Design Practice
DesForm 2012 October 2012
Authors: Layda Gongora, Alan Dix

RePlay is an exploratory environment being developed by one of the authors to observe a concept called
Creativity in Action. Via RePlay the authors explore themes important to creative process for example
reflection, flow, improvisational creativity, enactive perception and bodily externalizations. As a participant
the value of RePlay is as an embodied approach for observing as well as enhancing reflection and
understanding how bodily externalization is an important component of design process especially in the
design of tangibles where in which the body is an important parameter.

Externalization and Design, DESIRE 2011 the Second International Conference on Creativity and Innovation in Design. pp.31-42 (nominated for best paper award)
Authors:  Alan Dix, Layda Gongora

External representations are ubiquitous in design from blue-foam models, to formal requirements documents.
This paper seeks to explicate the role of externalization in the light of literature in philosophy, psychology,
and design practice. The apparent conflict between theories of embodiment, which emphasizes tacit action,
and the ideal of reflective practice is resolved in a rich interplay between tacit and explicit knowledge and
reasoning. By understanding the kinds of external representation in design their properties, and functions, we are able to make sense of tools and techniques for reflection and creativity and we hope ultimately improve them and design itself.

Brainstorming is a Bowl of Spaghetti: An In Depth Study of Collaborative Design Process and Creativity
Methods with Experienced Design Practitioners, The First International Conference on Design Creativity (ICDC 2010), Kobe Japan
Authors: Layda Gongora, Alan, Dix

This article reports the findings of a study which comprised in depth interviews and an exercise using
visual aids conducted at Philips research and Technical University Eindhoven in the Netherlands with four
designers. The goal of this study was to learn more about how experienced designers interact with creativity
tools in collaborative and often multidisciplinary teams in the early brainstorming stages of the design
process. Important issues covered in this paper are the role of conversation, cross- disciplinary collaboration,
facilitation, the body, planning, reflection and associative thinking as part of the brainstorming process.

Exploring Creative Process via Improvisation and the Design method RePlay, DIS 2010: Creativity and Innovation in Design, Conference Proceedings, SGCHI ACM Digital Library, Aarhus
University, Copenhagen,
Authors: Layda Gongora

Scanning the Terrain: Creativity and Embodiment Exploring the Use of BadIdeas, Improvisation Reflection and RePlay,  (CEPHAD 2010) The Borderland between Philosophy and Design Research, Danish Design Conference Copenhagen, Denmark.                                                                                                             Authors: Layda Gongora

 Creativity in Design Arts and Sciences, (2010). Interfaces 83, 12–13. Swindon: BCS Interaction
Specialist Group. http://www.bcs hci.org.uk/files/usermedia/file/interfaces_69on/interfaces83.pdf               Authors: Gongora, L., Onarheim, B. & Wiltschnig, S.

Selected Exhibitions
2010 Tropical Iceland- Print Media, SIMS, Reykjavík, Iceland.
          Architecture on Film Chain: Death By Chocolate, The Architecture Foundation, Barbican
          Centre,UK (with Dan Graham).
2009 Death By Chocolate- Video Installation, daadgalerie, Berlin, Germany (with Dan Graham).
2007 Reference Check- Open Studio, Banff New Media Institute, Banff, Canada.
2006 Death By Chocolate- Video, Orchard Gallery, New York, USA (with Dan Graham).
          One River Running- Installation, Surrey Gallery,Vancouver Canada ( Kenneth Newby and co.)
          Yin Yang Pavilion- Video, Sao Paulo Biennale, Sao Paulo, Brasil (with Dan Graham).
2005 Modus Viviendi-Video Installation, New Forms Festival: Ecologies, Vancouver, Canada.
2003 A Night of Light- Video Installation, Nations and Pollination’s and Dislocations Conference,
          Vancouver, Canada.
2002 The Female Gaze- Video Screening, Blinding Light Cinema,Vancouver, Canada.
2000 Screened Short 16 mm Film, ‘ECI Media Show’ Vancouver, Canada.
1998 101 Artists– Photography, Gallery 101, Ottawa. Canada.
          Arts and Ecology -Painting, The Sacred Arts Society, Ottawa, Canada.

Invited Talks and Presentations

• Presentation, ‘The Power of Play: Exploring Electronics with Young Makers” (Jun 2016) Maker Faire, Vancouver, Canada
• Invited Talk, RePlay: Creativity in Action,(Oct 2011) Tudor Innovation Labs, Luxembourg.
• Presentation, (Sept 2011) Replay: Creativity in Action, Body, movement, gesture & tactility in interaction with mobile devices, Mobile HCI Stockholm, Sweden
• Invited Talk, (Aug 2011) RePlay: Creativity in Action, talk, Deutsche Telekom Design Laboratories Berlin, Germany.
• Presentation, (July 2010), What Can Design Learn From Improvisation: RePlay Exploring Creative
• Process, DCC 2010 Design Computing and Cognition, Workshops: Research Methods for Design Cognition, Stuttgart, Germany.
• Presentation, (Sept 2010) What Can Design Learn From Improvisation: RePlay Exploring Creative Process, EASST Practicing Science and Technology, Performing the Social, Design and Performativity STS, Trento, Italy.
• Presentation, (Sept 2010) 2nd International Summer School “Models of Creative Design” For innovation in science and technology Aveiro University Portugal, Aveiro, Portugal.
• Presentation, (Feb 2010) DESIRE Project Meeting. Brussels, Netherlands.
• Invited Artist Talk, (Jul 2007) Reference Check Research Residency Banff New Media Institute, Banff, Alberta, Canada.
• Invited Artist Talk, (June 2005) Canadian Art Colleges Residency, Banff Center, Banff, Alberta, Canada.
• Invited Artist Talk, (Sept 2005) Modus Vivendi, New Forms Festival: Ecologies, Vancouver, Canada.
• Invited Panelist, (Jan 2001) World Social Forum, Puerto Allegre, Brazil.
• Invited Panelist, (Apr 2001) Another World is Possible, Quebec, Canada
• Invited Artist Talk, (Sept 1999) Changing Imaginary Borders in the Americas, Nations and Pollination’s and Dislocations, Vancouver, Canada

Workshops

Gongora L, Adnani -Evans A. (2016)  Various Tinkering workshops with Alison Evans-Adnani from Maker Junior. I supervised 3 other research assistants and conducted co-designing workshops which used theatre (RePlay), electronics (circuits) and craft materials with 7-9yr olds.

Gongora L. (Feb 2012), RePlay: Workshop Exploring Creativity In Action, TEI 2012 (Tangible
Embodied Interaction), Kingston, Canada.                                                                                                       

Gongora L. (Jan 2012) RePlay: A Workshop Exploring Participatory Design and Creativity and
Action for Urban Planning, Global Studio, Bhopal, India.

Gongora L. (Nov 2011), RePlay, Tiree Tech Wave, Tiree Isle, Scotland.

Doctoral Consortiums

Gongora, L. (Oct 2011)Creativity in Action, DESIRE’11: Creativity and Innovation in Design,
Eindhoven, Netherlands

Gongora, L. (Aug 2010) Exploring Creative Process via Improvisation and the Design method
RePlay, DIS 2010 Doctoral Consortium, Copenhagen, Denmark.

Posters

Gongora, L. (August 2010), Creativity In Action: Experimental Creativity Methods for Data
Collection and Creative Process, DIS 2010: Creativity and Innovation in Design, Poster
Presentation, Aarhus University, Copenhagen, Denmark

Gongora, L. (Aug 2010) Exploring Creative Process via Improvisation and the Design method
RePlay, DIS 2010 Doctoral Consortium, Copenhagen, Denmark.

Gongora, L. (Sept 2009) Understand the impact of explicit design space representations on innovative
design, International Summer School “Theories of Creative Design” for Innovation in Science
and Technology, Poster Presentation, Gargnano del Garda, Italy

Residencies

2012 Global Studio- Re-imagining Inclusive Urbanization: People Building Better Cities, Bhopal, India
2010 SIMRES- The Association of Icelandic Visual Artists, Reykjavík, Iceland.
2007 Reference Check Residency- Banff New Media Institute, Banff, Canada
2005 Canadian Art Colleges Residency- Banff Center, Banff, Canada.

Selected Awards and Prizes
2009-12 Marie Curie Fellowship, Desire Network: Creative Design For Innovation in Science and
              Technology, Lancaster University, UK
2007     Reference Check Residency Banff New Media Institute, Banff, Canada                                                   2006    Selected Erasmus Research Exchange, (part of MSC), Malmö University,Malmo, Sweden.                     2005-7 Full Scholarship International School of New Media, Luebeck University, Luebeck,Germany
2005    Awarded Canadian Art Colleges Residency, Banff Center, Banff, Canada .
2004   Selected ECUAD Exchange Communication Design, La Salle University, Mexico City,Mexico.
2003   Video In Studios Equipment Studio Grant, Video In Studios, Vancouver, Canada.

Other Appearances

2011 Radio Show ‘All that I am’, Radio Interview (Oct 2011), Brighton Community Radio, UK. In this
interview I discuss my current research regarding design innovation.