Data Collaging as Analysis: Crafting Research Through Art Data

Incorporating artistic practice into HCI research need not be limited to data collection methods. This pictorial demonstrates an experiment with arts-based qualitative data analysis in the form of hand-crafted Data Collaging. We make three contributions to the TEI community. First, a step-by-step description of our Data Collaging approach to data analysis. Second, a reflection on the advantages of applying artistic practice to data analysis: how the data collage captures layers of information, how the embodiment and materiality of the process enhanced insight, and the benefits of constraints in the process. Third, we offer design suggestions for data analysis tools that leverage the benefits of tangible embodied data analysis: scaffolding meta-reflection, embracing constraints and slowness, and leveraging the advantages of embodiment in data analysis.