The BayChi presentation on Revealing Hidden Stories: Co-Designing the Thamien Ohlone Augmented Reality Tour was a fascinating exploration of how technology can be used to uncover and honour cultural narratives that are often overlooked. The session focused on the collaboration between designers and the Thamien Ohlone community to create an augmented reality (AR) tour that brings to life the historical and cultural significance of the Thamien Ohlone people in the Bay Area. What stood out was the emphasis on co-design, where the community played a central role in shaping the experience, ensuring authenticity and respect for their stories.

One of the key lessons I took away from this presentation was the importance of deeply involving communities in the design process, especially when dealing with cultural or historical content. Co-design fosters a sense of ownership and ensures that the resulting product accurately represents the voices and values of the people it is meant to serve. In my own IXD practice, this has inspired me to think more critically about how I involve stakeholders, not just as users but as collaborators who can guide and enrich the design process. This approach goes beyond usability—it focuses on creating meaningful, culturally sensitive experiences.