Edinburgh Napier University

  This paper will introduce the concept of human identity. It will focus on how the creation, maintenance and communication of identity could be supported by technology. Initially a series of human groups are described which have the potential to inform the design of technologies that support identity and secondly existing technologies that convey identity are discussed. It is contended that identity is manipulated via specific attributes manifest in these artefacts and if technology is to designed with these in mind then a more tender approach must be adopted to the process. The concept of an identity pebble is introduced as a means of articulating the theme of ambient identity and is supported from work in architecture.