Exploring the Aesthetics of Tangible Interaction: Experiments on the Perception of Hybrid Objects

We report the results of an extended empirical two-stage study on the aesthetics of hybrid objects that combine form and behaviour. By combining two shapes (spheres and cubes); two sizes (7.5cm and 15cm); two materials (fabric and plastic); and four behaviours (emitting light, emitting sound, vibrating or displaying no behaviour) we created 32 objects that differ for a single feature. In a betweenparticipants study, 175 participants assessed and described the 32 objects. From this, seven dimensions were identified: pleasant; interesting; comfortable; playful; relaxing; special and surprising. In a second between-participants experiment 486 participants rated each object on the seven dimensions from the first study. Overall Spheres, Fabric, and Vibration were the preferred features, but for some of the dimensions specific combinations of features were rated more positively. This paper contribution is twofold: it provides a first study on the aesthetic of tangible interaction as a combi...

• Type: Journal
• Year: 2016
• Where: TEI
• Authors: Daniela Petrelli, Alessandro Soranzo, Luigina Ciolfi, John Reidy
• Keywords: Hardware, TEI 2016