A [trans]formação dos artefatos : um estudo sobre a contribuição dos aspectos históricos da Teoria da Atividade para o Design

This research aims at investigating the influence of the historical dimension concerning The Activity Theory formulated by Leontiev (1978), and proposing models of visualization from this perspective in The System of Activity developed by Engestrom (1987) in order to improve the conceptual tools applied to the development of artifacts. The analysis of the historical dimension aroused from an experimental study that involved three artifacts: rotary dial telephone, cellphone and smartphone. The three objects were tested by people within three age range categories: 15 to 20 years old; 35 to 40 years old; and 60 years old or above. Other criteria considering the participants of the study were: location (countryside or metropolitan region of Paraiba) and level of education (up to elementary school and after high school). The data allowed the analysis of the historicity taking into account the experience of the participants during the activity when using the artifacts; from the past narratives and perception of using them; and, from the observation of social relations present in the context of it. These dimensions refer to the historical evolution of the use of artifacts and the reflexes of this evolution on the other components of the System of Activity. The base of the analysis were the categories established by Letoniev’s Activity Theory (1978), including the diagram of the Second Generation of the System of Activity developed by Engestrom (1987). Focusing on a qualitative analysis of the relation between person and artifact, this study pursued, from the observation of historicity, effectively contribute for the analysis and development of artifacts.