TY - BOOK

T1 - After Rigid Interfaces

T2 - Investigating Interaction with Deformable Interfaces and the Design of Shape-Changing Interfaces

AU - Troiano, Giovanni Maria

PY - 2016

Y1 - 2016

N2 - Deformable and shape-changing interfaces are rapidly emerging in the field ofhuman-computer interaction (HCI). Deformable interfaces provide users with newerinput possibilities such as bending, squeezing, or stretching, which were impossible toachieve with rigid interfaces. Shape-changing interfaces can reconfigure their shapedynamically, providing users with new affordances and output modalities. This thesiscontributes to both the field of deformable interfaces and shape-changing interfacesthrough empirical research.In the area of deformable interfaces, this thesis presents two studies (1) a userstudy with a prototype of an elastic, deformable display, and (2) a user study ofdeformable interfaces for performing music. The first study reports a guessabilitystudy with an elastic, deformable display where 17 participants suggested fittinggestures for 29 tasks, including navigation and manipulation of 3D graphical objects.Results from the first study describe a user-defined gestures set for elastic, deformabledisplays, showing how participants used depth and elasticity of the display to simulatevarious deformations, rotations, and displacements. The second study investigateshow musicians use deformable interfaces to perform electronic music. First, weinvited musicians with different backgrounds (e.g., performers, DJs, instrumentbuilders) to three workshops, where we made them explore 10 deformable objects andgenerate ideas on how to use those to perform music. Then, we implemented sensorsin the five preferred objects and programmed them for controlling sounds withcomputer software. Finally, we ran a performance study where six musiciansperformed music with deformable interfaces at their studios. Results from theperformance study show that musicians systematically map deformations to certainmusical parameters and that deformable interfaces are generally used as tools to filterand modulate sounds.In the area of shape-changing interfaces, this thesis presents two work (1) ananalysis of sketches made by 21 participants designing either shape-changing radiosand mobile phones, and (2) a large-scale analysis of 340 science fiction (Sci-Fi)movies that analyses behavioral qualities of shape change, and how they supportparticular functionalities of shape-changing interfaces. The first work presents ananalysis of 42 sketches of shape-changing interfaces, specifically radio and mobilephone. The result of this analysis shows a range of interesting design elements, butalso a lack of conventions on the use of metaphors with shape change and the need toextend present vocabulary. Also, the analysis shows how metaphors and dynamicaffordances in shape change can be used to convey particular information (e.g., big-isurgent,loud-is-up). The second work presents a large-scale analysis of 340 Sci-Fimovies that identifies instances of shape-changing interfaces. Results from theanalysis reveals emergent behavioral patterns of shape change, namelyReconfiguration, Transformation, Adaptation and Physicalization.In synthesis, the work presented in this thesis shows (1) implications of usefulnessfor deformable interfaces and how their new input modalities can redefine the wayusers interact with computers, and (2) how a systematic understanding ofconventional design elements and behavioral qualities of shape change can help thedesign of shape-changing interfaces in the future.

AB - Deformable and shape-changing interfaces are rapidly emerging in the field ofhuman-computer interaction (HCI). Deformable interfaces provide users with newerinput possibilities such as bending, squeezing, or stretching, which were impossible toachieve with rigid interfaces. Shape-changing interfaces can reconfigure their shapedynamically, providing users with new affordances and output modalities. This thesiscontributes to both the field of deformable interfaces and shape-changing interfacesthrough empirical research.In the area of deformable interfaces, this thesis presents two studies (1) a userstudy with a prototype of an elastic, deformable display, and (2) a user study ofdeformable interfaces for performing music. The first study reports a guessabilitystudy with an elastic, deformable display where 17 participants suggested fittinggestures for 29 tasks, including navigation and manipulation of 3D graphical objects.Results from the first study describe a user-defined gestures set for elastic, deformabledisplays, showing how participants used depth and elasticity of the display to simulatevarious deformations, rotations, and displacements. The second study investigateshow musicians use deformable interfaces to perform electronic music. First, weinvited musicians with different backgrounds (e.g., performers, DJs, instrumentbuilders) to three workshops, where we made them explore 10 deformable objects andgenerate ideas on how to use those to perform music. Then, we implemented sensorsin the five preferred objects and programmed them for controlling sounds withcomputer software. Finally, we ran a performance study where six musiciansperformed music with deformable interfaces at their studios. Results from theperformance study show that musicians systematically map deformations to certainmusical parameters and that deformable interfaces are generally used as tools to filterand modulate sounds.In the area of shape-changing interfaces, this thesis presents two work (1) ananalysis of sketches made by 21 participants designing either shape-changing radiosand mobile phones, and (2) a large-scale analysis of 340 science fiction (Sci-Fi)movies that analyses behavioral qualities of shape change, and how they supportparticular functionalities of shape-changing interfaces. The first work presents ananalysis of 42 sketches of shape-changing interfaces, specifically radio and mobilephone. The result of this analysis shows a range of interesting design elements, butalso a lack of conventions on the use of metaphors with shape change and the need toextend present vocabulary. Also, the analysis shows how metaphors and dynamicaffordances in shape change can be used to convey particular information (e.g., big-isurgent,loud-is-up). The second work presents a large-scale analysis of 340 Sci-Fimovies that identifies instances of shape-changing interfaces. Results from theanalysis reveals emergent behavioral patterns of shape change, namelyReconfiguration, Transformation, Adaptation and Physicalization.In synthesis, the work presented in this thesis shows (1) implications of usefulnessfor deformable interfaces and how their new input modalities can redefine the wayusers interact with computers, and (2) how a systematic understanding ofconventional design elements and behavioral qualities of shape change can help thedesign of shape-changing interfaces in the future.

UR - https://soeg.kb.dk/permalink/45KBDK_KGL/fbp0ps/alma99122886331205763

M3 - Ph.D. thesis

BT - After Rigid Interfaces

PB - Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen

ER -