Exploring Technology with Care: Reflections from the 3rd Co-Design Session
Paulo Lameiro Cooperativa
Paredes de Vitória, 12 September 2025
In 12 September 2025, the AMPLIFY project held its third co-design session with artists, at Mina, Paredes da Vitória, Portugal. This gathering brought together an inspiring group of participants, musicians, a ballerina, production and communication staff, an artistic director, and a psychologist, to continue shaping the future of Concerts for Babies.
The session was not only about exploring new tools but also about reinforcing a culture of listening, dialogue, and co-creation. Guided by the principles of human-centred design, artists and facilitators reflected on how technology can enrich the experience of babies and families while safeguarding the relational essence at the heart of the concerts.
Balancing Innovation and Connection
Two main areas of exploration were highlighted:
Graphic Notation: Artists discussed and viewed different proposals for new forms of graphic notation. The group recognised the importance of clarity but also embraced the potential of combining systems to allow greater creative freedom and adaptation across different age groups.
VR Glasses: Although the physical devices were not yet available, participants reflected on the specifications and their possible use in performances. The discussion emphasised not only the educational and experimental opportunities but also the importance of eye contact and stage usability.
Shared Values and Next Steps
The dialogue revealed a creative tension between the promise of technological innovation and the irreplaceable value of human presence, eye contact, and relational interaction. Artists highlighted the essential role of families as partners in the process, ensuring that innovation never loses sight of the human experience.
Concrete next steps were agreed upon:
Testing VR glasses in rehearsals and performances, evaluating their impact on babies’ experiences.
Selecting and experimenting with the most promising forms of graphic notation in real contexts.
Conducting laboratories with artists and families (Oct./Nov. 2025) to further explore notation and creative practices.
A collective commitment
The session reaffirmed that AMPLIFY is not only about technology but about cultivating a shared responsibility across disciplines: art, psychology, production, and communication. By embracing experimentation while remaining rooted in ethics and human connection, AMPLIFY continues to open space for sustainable, meaningful innovation.
As we move towards the next phase, we carry with us the conviction that technology should amplify, not replace, the beauty of live human connection in Concerts for Babies.
