Wicked modes in UX: Pedagogical considerations for data détournement

User experience (UX) as both a vocation and a skillset is currently in the center of a wicked knot: emerging technologies such as generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) and large language models (LLMs) are (for the moment) widely accessible in unprecedented ways and are already heavily integrated into modern workplace practices and educational spaces. Further, workplace demands have led to a change in perception of the function and value of UX, and the field is facing new obstacles to hiring and research funding. Our article argues that a resituation of UX is needed: we-as instructors and administrators-need to focus on UX as an act of slow, embodied, and multimodal UX composition. To do this work, we offer the strategy of détournement as central to UX curriculum and preparing students for design work in a variety of rhetorical situations, expressed through our example assignments for instructors to implement within the college classroom.

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Publication Details

Journal
Computers & composition/Computers and composition
Published
2025-12-25
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compcom.2025.102977
Primary Topic
Discourse Analysis in Language Studies
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
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article

Wicked modes in UX: Pedagogical considerations for data détournement

Leah Heilig, Madison Jones, Morgan Banville
Computers & composition/Computers and composition
Discourse Analysis in Language Studies
article

Wicked modes in UX: Pedagogical considerations for data détournement

Leah Heilig, Madison Jones, Morgan Banville
article en

Abstract

User experience (UX) as both a vocation and a skillset is currently in the center of a wicked knot: emerging technologies such as generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) and large language models (LLMs) are (for the moment) widely accessible in unprecedented ways and are already heavily integrated into modern workplace practices and educational spaces. Further, workplace demands have led to a change in perception of the function and value of UX, and the field is facing new obstacles to hiring and research funding. Our article argues that a resituation of UX is needed: we-as instructors and administrators-need to focus on UX as an act of slow, embodied, and multimodal UX composition. To do this work, we offer the strategy of détournement as central to UX curriculum and preparing students for design work in a variety of rhetorical situations, expressed through our example assignments for instructors to implement within the college classroom.

Computers & composition/Computers and compositionVol. 79
University of Rhode Island (US), Massachusetts Maritime Academy (US)
Quality Education
Openalex Percentile: Top 21%
Discourse Analysis in Language Studies
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Wicked modes in UX: Pedagogical considerations for data détournement — Leah Heilig, Madison Jones, et al. · Computers & composition/Computers and composition (2025) | TGRS Research Map | TGRS