Interaction Design WikiObject Experience

Object Experience 2016

designing experience with physical objects
(Product Design Basics)


Description

In this course, we will explore how the choices of form and material affect our senses and interactions. Perceptual approaches to design consider form as something that affords a sensory-motor experience. We combine such approaches with traditional product design methods such as sketching of object's geometrical form and constructing physical prototypes. We use simple materials such as paper to explore the potential of the three-dimensional forms. You will learn how to study and to design physical objects so that they trigger a sensory experience.

Key Topics:


Lecturers:

Schedule:


Support


Exercises

Exercise 1. Sketching Sensory Experience

The goal of this exercise is to study an object through tactile experience it enables. The challenge is to sketch the sensory experience as it emerges: to put the sensations into words and into drawings. Students work in couples. One of the students is blindfolded. He or she is given an object to be explored through senses other than vision. Without saying the name of the object, the blindfolded person describes the sensations (soft, curved, warm, loud etc) caused through manipulation of the artifact.  The person who listens tried to put these words into sketches.

Exercise 2. Sketching Form

Using front and side views, sections, axonometric projection and/or prospective, the students technically represent an object.

Exercise 3. Sketching Function

Students sketch the use of the object in a functional way. The human body or its parts (hand or foot) have to be represented. The result should be a drawn user manual.

Exercise 4. Sketching Use and Misuse

Students invent stories of the use and misuse of the object. The temporal aspect of the story comes into play - How does one represent cause-effect loops, emotional states etc.

Exercise 5. Sensory Material Library

Gather three materials that offer interesting / unusual visual or haptic qualities. Use the given template to describe the materials objective and subjective properties.

material library template.ai

Exercise 6. Cut and Paste

This exercise is an exploration of patterns, scale and repetition. It is composed of three steps:

1. From a flat paper create a form by cutting, folding, waving and/or gluing it.

2. Using a repetition of the same element create a pattern or a new object

3. Scale the same element into different sizes and connect them to create a new object

Exercise 7. Cube Expressions

Build 3 objects out of foam cubes [10x10x10cm]. Each must invite one of the following actions through form:

… spin me

… leave ma alone

… shake me

… stretch me

… complete me

… inhale me

… break me

Exercise 8. Light as Matter

Create a concept for an interactive lamp. Adapt interactions and/or affordances from other contexts. One way of achieving that, can be by giving existing objects a new function (ready mades),

Build an experience prototype.


Deliverables:

In addition to attendance and active contribution for the duration of the course, students are assessed based on the following deliverables at the end of the course:

Exercise "light as matter":

Under "Project Documentation" you'll find guidelines for naming of folders and files.
As you are working in teams make sure that the presentation of "light as matter" is in your personal folders. 

Final Presentation:

Friday 14th  of October at 13:00 || Seminarraum ZT 5.K01
Time per presentation: max. 10min & 5min discussion 

Structure:

- Discover (research, inspiration )  // 2-4 slides
- Design (initial idea, prozess, iterations,…) 2-4 slides
- Deliver (final concept) // 4 slides

What to document:

The process and outcome of the following exercises

What will be assessed:

Over all

Exercises

Documentation

For positive grading, a minimum attendance 80% is required.