Leveraging Everyday Deformation for Shape-Changing Interfaces
Hyunyoung Kim, CNRS & Université Grenoble Alpes, France, Hyunyoung.Kim@imag.fr
Céline Coutrix, CNRS, France, Celine.Coutrix@imag.fr
Anne Roudaut, Department of Computer Science, University of Bristol, UK, roudauta@gmail.com

We present the results of a focus group that aims at exploring deformable and shape-changing objects that are already surrounding users in their daily life. The reason why we are doing this is that, although shape-changing interfaces are becoming more popular, it is currently not clear what type of shape-changes are relevant for the design of these new devices. With our approach we hope to elicit new ideas of shape-change interaction. We discuss the implications for design and the future direction of this work.

 

Towards a Practice of User-Centered Design for Shape-Changing Interfaces
Miriam Sturdee, School of Computing and Communications, Lancaster University, UK, m.sturdee@lancaster.ac.uk
Jason Alexander, School of Computing and Communications, Lancaster University, UK, j.alexander@lancaster.ac.uk

Shape-changing User Interfaces (UIs) are maturing in application and complexity, and therefore are becoming a tangible reality with regards to commercialization and design in a wider context. Current prototypes support a variety of bespoke interactions and are extensively tested, but applications for these constructs are often limited to the research scenario, and within the limitations of academic institutions. Engaging with a wider audience to develop novel UIs and applications is a valuable addition to the early design process, and can elicit new directions for research. Additionally, focusing on the user fulfils a requirement for developing a User-Centered Design methodology for shape-change, as it presents novel challenges for interaction design. This position paper calls for early adoption of such processes to support the emerging technology of shape-change, and for the formation of a collaborative UCD working group in this field.

 

Challenges in Designing Content for Non-Rectangular Displays
Marcos Serrano, University of Toulouse & CNRS – IRIT, France, marcos.serrano@irit.fr
Anne Roudaut, Department of Computer Science, University of Bristol, UK, roudauta@gmail.com
Pourang Irani, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada, Pourang.Irani@cs.umanitoba.ca

Emerging technologies allow for the creation of nonrectangular displays with unlimited constraints in shape. However, the introduction of such displays radically deviates from the prevailing tradition of placing content on rectangular screens and raises fundamental design questions. In this position paper we present a cursory overview of results obtained from four legibility experiments on non-rectangular displays and introduce some of the big challenges to address.

 

Is Research on Shape Change Heading in the Right Direction?
Majken Kirkegaard Rasmussen, CS Department, Aarhus University, Denmark, mkirkegaard@cs.au.dk
Marianne Graves Petersen, CS Department, Aarhus University, Denmark, mrgraves@cs.au.dk

In this paper the present state of research on shape-changing interfaces is reflected upon, and questions whether the research is presently on the most propitious path. The paper proposes three perspectives for directing further research on shape-changing interfaces: 1) a purpose perspective, 2) a theoretical perspective and 3) a user experience perspective.

 

Exploring ShapeCanvas: A Shape-Changing Display for Novice User Content Generation
Aluna Everitt, School of Computing and Communications, Lancaster University, UK, a.everitt@lancaster.ac.uk
Faisal Taher, School of Computing and Communications, Lancaster University, UK, f.taher@lancaster.ac.uk
Jason Alexander, School of Computing and Communications, Lancaster University, UK, j.alexander@lancaster.ac.uk

Shape-changing displays provide new challenges for content generation. Content design must incorporate visual elements, physical surface shapes, react to user input, and adapt these parameters over time. In this paper we describe an exploration of ShapeCanvas, a shape-changing display consisting of a grid of 4×4 large actuated pixels, which allows novice users to generate physical animations. We also present a reflection of the implementation challenges that emerged.

 

Tangible Maps for Visually Impaired Users: Shape-Changing Perspectives
Julie Ducasse, University of Toulouse & CNRS – IRIT, France, julie.ducasse@irit.fr
Marcos Serrano, University of Toulouse & CNRS – IRIT, France, marcos.serrano@irit.fr
Marc Macé, University of Toulouse & CNRS – IRIT, France, marc.mace@irit.fr
Christophe Jouffrais, University of Toulouse & CNRS – IRIT, France, christophe.jouffrais@irit.fr

Interactive maps for visually impaired people are rarely dynamic and if so, very expensive. We developed a low-cost tangible tabletop interface that enables visually impaired users to dynamically construct maps. To do so, we designed a novel type of physical icons, called Tangible Reels. In this paper, we discuss how actuated Tangible Reels could be used to provide visually impaired users with an access to dynamic tangible maps and advanced functionalities (zoom, pan and exploration of geostatistical data). The three design ideas that we propose open new avenues for actuated tangibles for visually impaired users.

 

Exploring Aesthetic Experience Through Interactive Shape Changing Critters
Young Suk Lee, Integrative New Media, Indiana University, USA, artdesignys@gmail.com

In this paper I introduce three designs that explore expressive tangible interfaces by embedding shape-changing interactive surface through everyday object. Design surfaces are enmeshed in issues of aesthetics, experience, and engagement that go well beyond traditional approaches of user evaluation and transparency-oriented theories of user-centered design [4]. This research trajectory of HCI field seeks a new way to bridge the interdisciplinary gap between art, design and technology. I propose three sophisticated shape-changing surfaces fabricated by mixed media in an artistic approach, while exploring variable interactions triggered by multimodal input such as talking and touching of digital artifact.