Key Takeaways
- Discover the transformative potential of Tangible User Interfaces (TUIs): Explore how TUIs merge technology with physical objects, creating immersive and engaging experiences that enhance human-computer interaction.
- Learn from groundbreaking projects that redefine the tangible: Witness the innovative projects developed during the Interaction Design Pilot Year, showcasing how TUIs can revolutionize fields such as environmental awareness, file sharing, music control, photography, social connections, and accessibility.
- Gain insights into the creative process behind TUI development: Delve into the creative journey of students and designers as they utilize laser-cutters and other tools to transform ideas into tangible prototypes, capturing the essence of innovation and ingenuity.
Imagine a world where technology seamlessly merges with physical objects, creating immersive experiences that engage your senses and spark your creativity. This captivating realm is known as Tangible User Interfaces (TUIs), and the Copenhagen Institute for Interaction Design (CIID) has embarked on an extraordinary adventure to explore its boundless possibilities.
CIID’s Interaction Design Pilot Year: A Crucible of Innovation
In collaboration with the Danish Design School, CIID launched an Interaction Design Pilot Year, a groundbreaking program dedicated to conceptualizing and technically realizing projects centered around TUIs. Led by Heather Martin, the visionary behind the renowned “Strangely Familiar” class at the Interaction Design Institute Ivrea, this course ignited a spark of innovation among its participants.
The Red Laser-Cutter: A Catalyst for Creation
At the heart of CIID’s TUI exploration was a small red laser-cutter, a humble tool that became a catalyst for extraordinary creations. Students embraced this technology, transforming sheets of material into intricate prototypes that pushed the boundaries of human-computer interaction.
Projects that Redefine the Tangible
From the depths of the Interaction Design Pilot Year emerged a constellation of projects that defied expectations and redefined the relationship between humans and technology. Among these remarkable endeavors were:
- Meet the food you eat: A project that visualized the carbon emissions associated with different foods, highlighting the environmental impact of our dietary choices.
- Dubmate: A device that facilitated face-to-face file sharing, utilizing Lilypad bootloaders, touch sensors, and stickers.
- Easyrun: A garment embedded with soft buttons, allowing runners to control their iPhone music player without breaking stride.
- Compound Eye: A network of synchronized cameras that captured images simultaneously, akin to a digital version of the iconic LOMO camera.
- FlirtyCup: Networked bar glasses that connected individuals with similar interests, employing iRobota Pro mini, XBee radios, potentiometers, and RGB LEDs.
- Frontline Gloves: Gesture-enhanced gloves designed for firefighters, providing critical information about the distance to objects and status updates.
- 3D calendar (aka CAL3NDAR): A physical calendar tailored for autistic children, displaying events with pictures, objects, and sound recordings.
- BunnyBot: A collaborative game featuring a robot rabbit and an augmented game board, controlled by players using XBee shields and color sensors.
Bonus: Delving into the Creative Process
Dave Mellis, a renowned figure in the world of interactive installations and devices, captured the essence of the Interaction Design Pilot Year through a collection of photographs uploaded to Flickr. These images provide a glimpse into the process of crafting the prototypes, showcasing the dedication and ingenuity of the students involved.
The Interaction Design Pilot Year at CIID stands as a testament to the transformative power of TUIs. Through a diverse array of projects, students explored the uncharted territories of human-computer interaction, pushing the boundaries of what is possible and leaving an indelible mark on the world of design.
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