Thinking Outside the Bag: Worker-led Speculation and the Future of Gig Economy Delivery Platforms

Ben Kirman; Oliver Bates; Carolynne Lord; Hayley Alter

Thinking Outside the Bag: Worker-led Speculation and the Future of Gig Economy Delivery Platforms

Ben Kirman, Oliver Bates, Carolynne Lord, Hayley Alter

Theatre, Film, TV and Interactive Media

Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper › peer-review

Abstract

Gig economy is presented as disruptive, technologically driven, and forward thinking. Design is explicit in this framing, through use of slick apps to reduce friction and simplify experience for customer and worker. However, this framing is often driven by the platforms, and does not fully recognize the actual experience of work. In this paper we report on a collaborative design process on developing concepts for the future of gig work from a worker-centric perspective. This explicitly does not involve the platforms as stakeholders and uses design fiction as a tool for workers to express fears, joys, and the aspects of their work that are nuanced, reflective and surprising. We reflect on the designs created through this process, the tensions, and opportunities with working with gig work-ing couriers, and issues around power and representation when designing with and for this community.

Original language	English
Publication status	Published - 25 Jun 2022
Event	Design Research Society Conference - Bilbao, Spain Duration: 25 Jun 2022 → 3 Jul 2022 https://www.drs2022.org

Conference

Conference	Design Research Society Conference
Abbreviated title	DRS
Country/Territory	Spain
City	Bilbao
Period	25/06/22 → 3/07/22
Internet address	https://www.drs2022.org

Access to Document

DRS2022 paper SwitchGig cameraready submittedAccepted author manuscript, 7.2 MBLicence: CC BY-NC

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Kirman, B.
EPSRC
1/09/19 → 31/07/20
Project: Research project (funded) › Research

Cite this

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N2 - Gig economy is presented as disruptive, technologically driven, and forward thinking. Design is explicit in this framing, through use of slick apps to reduce friction and simplify experience for customer and worker. However, this framing is often driven by the platforms, and does not fully recognize the actual experience of work. In this paper we report on a collaborative design process on developing concepts for the future of gig work from a worker-centric perspective. This explicitly does not involve the platforms as stakeholders and uses design fiction as a tool for workers to express fears, joys, and the aspects of their work that are nuanced, reflective and surprising. We reflect on the designs created through this process, the tensions, and opportunities with working with gig work-ing couriers, and issues around power and representation when designing with and for this community.

AB - Gig economy is presented as disruptive, technologically driven, and forward thinking. Design is explicit in this framing, through use of slick apps to reduce friction and simplify experience for customer and worker. However, this framing is often driven by the platforms, and does not fully recognize the actual experience of work. In this paper we report on a collaborative design process on developing concepts for the future of gig work from a worker-centric perspective. This explicitly does not involve the platforms as stakeholders and uses design fiction as a tool for workers to express fears, joys, and the aspects of their work that are nuanced, reflective and surprising. We reflect on the designs created through this process, the tensions, and opportunities with working with gig work-ing couriers, and issues around power and representation when designing with and for this community.

M3 - Paper

Y2 - 25 June 2022 through 3 July 2022

ER -

Thinking Outside the Bag: Worker-led Speculation and the Future of Gig Economy Delivery Platforms

Abstract

Conference

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Projects

Switch-gig

Cite this