ABSTRACT

This chapter focuses on the foundations of digital materiality as they have developed in the subdisciplines of design anthropology and digital anthropology and through the relationship that both might have with the older tradition of the study of human–computer interaction (HCI). The connections made between digital media and design anthropology in Gunn et al.’s Design Anthropology are also different to those guided by the trajectory of HCI. In the field of anthropology, the issue of digital materiality has also been broadly discussed in particular in the areas which have a history of research in both material culture studies and design. In the field of anthropology, the issue of digital materiality has also been broadly discussed in particular in the areas which have a history of research in both material culture studies and design. The chapter also presents an overview on the key concepts discussed in this book.