CIO will methodologically be rooted in post-cognitivistic HCI, which studies the relationship between hu­man beings and technology in use. Designing the future also involves understanding the past and the present, and, according to Bødker & Klokmose, this adds to our methodological toolbox. The research methods of the project combine empirical, analytical, theoretical, and design approaches, all with focus on the relationship between human users and interactive objects. Even though the methods get challenged through CIO they also pro­vide a solid platform from which to embrace these new challenges. This also means that new research methods to em­brace design over time needs to be developed in CIO.

Theoretical work and development of the technological platform will happen continuously. These are sup­plemented by historical analyses, analyses of the situated use activity and exploratory design, in specific cases from which to generalize. This means that all cases will look back on object history; understand the current use activity; and do exploratory design with users. Various possibilities for cases are mentioned in this proposal, and some variation of the following will very likely be activated:

1. Historically enriched, common interactive objects for shared planning and decision-making in commu­nity groups related to exploration of open community data.

2. Objects across the physical and the virtual in groups/class collaboration in an educational setting.

3. Malleable and controllable objects in an Internet of Things setting.

The unique findings and designs in each case will inform the general analyses, concepts, technologies, and methods of the general framework. This framework will in turn be used to set the scene for each case.