Last week Irene van Peer gave the assignment to look at what I have, and figure out which medium I can focus on. I did gave a lot of feedback on my blog on the material I had, but I didn’t have an ‘eureka’ moment. I also made a list of subjects I could apply my theories in, but didn’t make a final choice yet.
This week I had a very useful meeting with Irene. She gave me some additional feedback on my process and tried to push me in the right direction. We went through the materials I gathered, and it became more clear to me indeed.
The conclusion was that I’m interested in making control over a system more physical, intuitive and natural by using haptic and gestural interaction. I decided that the system where I can apply this in would be the control over a multimedia system. I want to use the remote as a starting point, because it is a good example of a bad controller. It has been tried may times to improve this device, but old fashioned remotes are still common and the same problems subsist. I think this point of view will be ideal to experiment with. If I really can improve the remote on a practical level is still the question, but the goal is to broaden myself in gestural interaction with objects. I want to see what is possible and applicable in this area.
I will start with observing the environment, and look how I (and hopefully other people too) handle everyday things. Which actions are we used to? I also want to look at extremes. For example, situations that are not common; what people do when there is no better alternative available. I want to compare this with complex everyday systems, like computers and phones, that use Graphical User Interfaces (GUI).
I’ve read a lot about different user interfaces that define physical interfaces. Examples are Natural User Interfaces (NUI), Tangible User Interfaces (TUI) and a less common one, Sensor Network User Interface (SNUI) used in the siftables. These definitions have a lot in common, but are all interesting to look at. However, I have to make a selection in materials, so I won’t go to broad. I also have to apply this in the literature I’ve got. I also have to look back at the theory of embodied cognition (what was my starting point) and select which subjects are useful for this project.
Also, Irene had some personal feedback, which is good to keep in mind.
- I have try not to have an early judgment. This is because sometimes I see the negative of something before analyzing it thoroughly.
- I have to walk around with antenna’s during this period. Observe, write down, evaluate.
- visit locations and observe people, instead of desktop research.
- Keep the 5 main senses in mind. The user experience overall. What do people feel / associate with actions?
For a start, I will define my research questions for the coming time.
- How can the functions in this system be easily represented through real life interactions?
- How are multimedia systems used by common people at the moment?
- How can be this interface be more natural, graspable and real?
- How do we make decisions through tangible feedback?
- Remote control of multimedia system; television stations, sound and movies. how can you control this easily, intuitive?
- I want to look at everyday household devices;
- What are we used to in the real world?
- Look at recognizable needs in this area;
- What could be an addition to the usual visual feedback, to relieve visual overload?
I have to refer my findings continually to the control of a multimedia device.
My next step in the process will be to write down keywords that define my area. After that gather some additional information. I have to analyze the data thoroughly.
Some additional literature would be:
Dan Saffer - Gestural Interfaces
Dan Saffer - Silent Language Edward T.Hall - The Silent Language
Bill Gaver
