Feedforward for Disappearing Interface

Design Research Project 2019 | 5 months
Industrial Design, University of Technology Eindhoven, NL
Skills: tangible user interface, interaction design, design research, prototyping, user evaluation
Project Coach: Miguel Bruns
Publication: ACM SIGCHI AutoUI
Exhibition: AutoUI 2019, DDW Design United 2019

What would happen if all the interfaces blended into our daily objects? How can we interact with machines with disappearing interfaces? In this project, I explored different feedforward to support interaction between humans and computers. We designed visual and shape-changing modalities to communicate possibilities of hand actions to adjust the volume of the music with a textile-based Interface.

Prototyping

  • Membrane Potentiometer: input signal.
  • NeoPixel LED ring: create visual feedforward modalities.
  • Shape-changing modality: two Micro Servos pulling the moveable part downwards.
  • 3D Modeling and laser-cutting the frame of the prototype.
  • Arduino Uno + Processing.

  • The surface of the prototype is covered by stretchable artificial wool felt.
  • The intended action based on the feedforwards is touching with the finger and rotating motion.
  • The designed function is adjusting the volume.

    • Feedforward Design

  • a. Non-feedforward: no feedforward/feedback before or after the interaction.
  • b. Static-pattern feedforward: static light circular pattern through the LED ring.
  • c. Dynamic-pattern feedforward: constant counterclockwise light animation through the LED ring.
  • d. Shape-changing feedforward: a ring shape shows before the interaction.


    • Check the Video

    The video is made for Dutch Design Week 2019, UpClose&Personal, Tilt Shift

    Discussion & Conclusion

    I presented the research project that accesses the effect of four different feedforwards and their affordance and user experience in terms of human-computer interaction. Based on the findings, I suggested that inherent feedforward can coordinate the human-computer interaction to some extent. Dynamic light feedforward could provide more intuitiveness regarding the action possibilities of the interface. Shape-changing seems to be an eligible modality to provide a better user experience that could make the interaction more easy and enjoyable.

    Publication & Event

    Dutch Design Week 2019
    Design United Tilt Shift
    Speakers Corner

    11th ACM Automotive User Interface 2019
    Interactive Demo - Publication
    Best Demonstration Award