For this course, an exploratory design process on the integration of literature on research areas like embodied interaction, tangible interaction and rich interaction in IoT systems was performed, as current IoT systems put substantial emphasis on screen based interactions.
An IoT system with core functionalities of being reminded of a task and controlling the lights in the home was designed, as well as functionalities that may emerge as a result of combining the core functionalities of both systems.
The authors position themselves within the presented literature and discuss the aim for another approach when designing growing systems in the home IoT: an approach that services both the flexibility of the digital world and the richness of the physical environment that embraces the emergence of other functionalities.
AFFILIATION
Master Industrial Design (TU/e)
ACTIVITY
Master Course
COURSE NAME
A Designerly Perspective on the IoT
PROJECT COACH
dr.ir. J.W. Frens
PERIOD
S2 Q1 (2019/2020)
TEAM
Emmie Knoester, Marlou Kellenaers, Sander Pouw
KEYWORDS
Creativity & Aesthetics, Technology & Realization, Internet of Things, Growing IoT System, Embodied Interaction, Physical Interaction, Rich Interaction, Product Design
GRADE
8/10
By forecasting that ubiquitous computing would be “fundamentally characterized by the connection of things in the world with computation” Weiser & Brown [1,p. 6] were already describing the phenomenon that we now speak of as the Internet of Things. Whilst having focussed on the fields of calm technology [1] and peripheral interaction [2] in the past, designing for a growing system by connecting it to the concept of rich interaction provided me with a new point of view on designing for a home IoT. It hadn’t really occurred to me that connected devices even needed design: ‘Everything is connected, so... that’s that.’
This course has given me the insight that a growing system is not only in desperate need of designing, but that it is also an extremely serious challenge. Specifically the question on how to truly design for emergent functionality - since these functionalities are emergent for their quality that they would emerge through using a product and can therefore not be predicted when designing the product - is something that has raised an internal discussion where numerous additional questions seem to arise when 1 question could be deemed answered. I am eager to keep myself updated concerning the upcoming developments on how to design for a growing system and to see what solutions will arise. Moreover, integrating the concept of rich interaction into product design has been an interesting and eye-opening experience for me.
Before entering this course, I was already acquainted with Norman’s theory on affordances [3], but I never came to look at it in such depth and rich detail. Taking it a step further by acquainting myself with the concept of rich interaction in which a relevant relation between form, function and interaction is established has honestly changed my attitude on Industrial Design. From this moment on, I can quite surely assume that - as a User Experience designer - designing for rich interaction will stick with me and I am eager to make it a prominent part of my future work so that it eventually will become an established part of my identity as designer.
I can admit that I feel almost ashamed that within my 6-year study career in UXD/UID, only now I feel that I can add the absolute foundation within these fields to my knowledge and skill library. It might seem a bit ‘harsh’ for myself to say this, but after diving in the provided literature and applying it hands-on, I felt like I actually knew what I was doing. I am actually able to explain - with solid ground - why I made certain design choices and why it could be considered a strong choice, even without actually user-testing it, which is - oddly enough - quite new and inspiring to me. In conclusion, what I will take with me for future projects is a newly adopted attitude on how to design for the home IoT that I will add to my already established attitude and a solid expansion of both my knowledge and skill on designing for rich interaction.
[1]
Weiser, M., & Brown, J. S. (1997). The coming age of calm technology. In Beyond calculation (pp. 75-85). Springer, New York, NY. An Exploration on How to Balance The Physical and The Digital in a Growing IoT System. 2020, Eindhoven University of Technology, the Netherlands
[2]
Bakker, S. (2013). Design for peripheral interaction. Eindhoven University of Technology, 184.
[3]
Norman, D. A. (1999). Affordance, conventions, and design. interactions, 6(3), 38-43.
[1]
Weiser, M., & Brown, J. S. (1997). The coming age of calm technology. In Beyond calculation (pp. 75-85). Springer, New York, NY. An Exploration on How to Balance The Physical and The Digital in a Growing IoT System. 2020, Eindhoven University of Technology, the Netherlands
[2]
Bakker, S. (2013). Design for peripheral interaction. Eindhoven University of Technology, 184.
[3]
Norman, D. A. (1999). Affordance, conventions, and design. interactions, 6(3), 38-43.
[1]
Weiser, M., & Brown, J. S. (1997). The coming age of calm technology. In Beyond calculation (pp. 75-85). Springer, New York, NY. An Exploration on How to Balance The Physical and The Digital in a Growing IoT System. 2020, Eindhoven University of Technology, the Netherlands
[2]
Bakker, S. (2013). Design for peripheral interaction. Eindhoven University of Technology, 184.
[3]
Norman, D. A. (1999). Affordance, conventions, and design. interactions, 6(3), 38-43.
