How do we design ambiguous and
non-directive interactive artefacts that
offer multiple ways of engagement? This article presents the initial thoughts
on the form-giving of tangible interactive prototypes for practices that demand
nonauthoritative designs without specific functionality. In a project designing for children with
profound cognitive disabilities, we adopt a shift towards a holistic user
understanding and material and expressional explorations as key strategies for
addressing their emotions and senses, rather than focusing on cognitive
advances. The result was two exploratory interactive sensory pillows with a
variety of different expressions and modes of interaction. We propose how
design for nondirective practices can be framed by initial articulations of the desired experiences,
emotions and senses, based on empathic
insights of the users. From these, we
suggest to experiment with various
materials to explore potential forms for
ambiguous designs that allow for a multiplicity of ways of interacting
with them.
Nordic Design Research Conference 2013
