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Info-Motion applies the motions of plants in a shape-changing interface, representing the state and data from computers to domestic appliances through physical dynamic feedback in a discreet, peripheral and intuitive way.
Duration
Info motion
Flower, flytrap, branch, cactus, balsam
Tangible interaction
Potential tangible interaction with gesture and touch.
potential product
design product with patterns
Info motion
Flower, flytrap, branch, cactus, balsam
1/5
Infomation from Digital and Nature
Our world today is surrounded by electronic devices, we get our information from the exact numbers jumping off the screen, powerful reminders take away our attention, and we become passive users in this age of information overwhelm.
When we take a walk in the afternoon, we feel the warmth of the sun shining on us. We sense the speed of the wind as dandelion seeds float upwards. When we step on the moss, we obtain information about the humidity in the air. Although this information is basic, we sense it from nature. We are surprised at how quickly our bodies adapt to this way of sensing information. It is so familiar and comforting.
Is it possible for us to combine two methods together? What insights can we get for designing interfaces from nature?
Theories Development
The project is inspired by mimosa, which people interpret as shyness when it is closed, although mimosa is just meant to protect themselves, humans still project their own feelings onto it. Besides mimosa, perceptions of plants have long been a part of our culture and common knowledge.
Metaphor
Metaphors serve as a valuable design method in interactive interfaces, enabling us to use familiar knowledge to comprehend new and abstract concepts. For instance, in computer interfaces, the metaphor of a folder is used to help users grasp the concept of data storage.
(Thomas Erickson. 1990. The Art of Human Computer Interface Design (ed. B.Laurel), Working with Interface Metaphors. Addison-Wesley, pp. 65-73..)
Non-anthropomorphic objects
Kinesthetic empathy
It refers to our ability to experience empathy by observing the movements of other humans. For example, when we watch a ballet dancer leap, even if we do not make the same movements, we still feel our body become lighter.
(Kinesthetic Empathy in Creative and Cultural Contexts, Dee Reynolds, Matthew Reason, 2014)
Miyoshi has proposed the concept of kinesthetic empathy with non-anthropomorphic objects. He says that we can also experience empathy through the movements of non-anthropomorphic objects, as long as these objects' dynamics can evoke our previous experiences related to motion. These experiences may come from our own bodies or from our observation of other living beings.
(Design object in motion, Kensho Miyoshi, 2021)
Research question
How can the metaphor of plants motions inform the human-computer interfaces?
Explore the Plant Motion
Grass
Source :
(The Green Planet | Official Trailer | New Attenborough Series | BBC . BBC Earth. Retrieved July 7, 2023 from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcnLPH11qJw)
(Richard Wheeler. 2010. Oxalis Triangularis Photonasty Timelapse. Wiki. Retrieved June 7, 2023 from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Oxalis_Triangularis_Photonasty_Timelapse.ogv)
(The Private Life of Plants - Top Documentary Films. BBC. Retrieved July 7, 2023 from https://topdocumentaryfilms.com/the-private-life-of-plants/)
Motion Categories
Definition: plant surface expands or the cell inside the plant breaks through the skin, moving from the center to the edges.
Definition: the plant is flexed or curved due to an external force and conveys the concept of endurance.
Definition: It involves the plant storing up energy and then suddenly releasing it, with a deformation.
Definition: runs in a certain direction but changes direction. In the context of plants, it has the meaning of finding direction.
Definition: The plant shrinks inwards, presenting a sense of tension.
Definition: The flowering and closed state of plants, the former being pleasurable, the latter self-protective
Definition: Plants spread seeds by wind with the intention of informing, spreading
Definition: Plants roll on the ground, uncontrollable for unknown destinations.
Definition: Leaves fall from the air as a reminder that a certain time has come to an end.
Firstly, I explored various plant motions and categorized them into 9 Classes according to the intention and context.
Transfer Motion to Objects
Subsequently, we transferred these motions to objects by creating low-fi models. The purpose was to test users' associations and perceptions of the motions on these artificial objects.
User test
The purpose was to test users' associations and perceptions of the motions on these artificial objects.
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User test result
Take-away
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The speed at which an action is performed affects how people perceive it.
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Slow and variable motions evoke a more organic quality and biological associations.
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Object texture and color can make people associate it with living organisms.
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Tension from opposing forces in motion creates a more organic quality and biological association.
Metaphor Ring
Plant motion
Characters
Information
types with similar characters
We proposed the "metaphor ring" as a method to analyze the types of information that can be conveyed through the motions. The innermost ring represents the original plant motions, while the second ring represents the characteristics of these motions derived from user association and the original context of plants. The outermost ring consists of information types that share similar characteristics and correspond to a data type or system state.
Selected Object and pattern*
Then, we selected five objects with the potential for demonstrating informations. The correspondence between characteristic and motion is referred to as a pattern. Each object has two to three patterns. Each pattern is independent, which means they can be applied in different scenarios.
Motion pattern
Bloom > Beneficial
Hide > Harmful
detect > coupling
capture > Error
digest > In analysis
Sway > resillient
Brocken > overload
Sprout > new
dry > decrease
wet > increase
absorb > transporting
grow > accumulate
explode > reminding
Use case
Air quality
hide > harmful
bloom > beneficial
Bluetooth coupling
detect > coupling
Bank account
dry > decrease
absorb > transporting
Energy consumption
sway > resillient
brocken > overload
Timer
explode > reminding
These five use cases demonstrate the different scenarios in which Patterns can be used in life. Each pattern is used independently of the other.
User experiences
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Peripheral interaction
Energy consumption
It provides two crucial user experiences, the first being peripherial interaction, which grabs our attention only when it matters most.
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Tangible interaction
Depending on the usage requirements of different scenarios, these objects can also be manipulated by gesture and touch.
Fabrication
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Build Tensioned Surfaces
In the last model, I wanted to emphasize the feeling of tension that deformation brings to the
I used different methods such as springs, leather bands, and TPU printing, and finally used the elasticity of the fabric and PLA itself to do this.
Thanks to Jinyu for advising me on different textiles during the process!
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1mm
1.5 mm
0.5 mm
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3D Print on elastic Textile
I tried PLA printing on a stretchy fabric to create a stretchable elastic surface.
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Sillicone Casting
The high elasticity of the Ecoflex - 0030 hardness silicone allows for the representation of biological dynamics. In this project, the silicone airbags are concealed beneath rigid surfaces or connected to rigid materials. By combining elasticity, gravity, and tension, the organic motions of plants are transferred to artificial objects.
Pneumatic control
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From Syringes to Flow IO
I initially used syringes as pneumatic control but later switched to using Flow IO as the programming platform for the motions.
I assembled the Flow IO myself and used a small piece of copper metal to recognize the pressure of a touch as an input to control the motion pattern.
Many thanks to Ali for helping me to modify the code.
String control
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Deformation drived by String
For the last model that uses a string system, I used a two-axis control method, where the motor at the front end controls whether or not the string is grabbed, and the motor at the back end controls the height.
Many thanks to Simon for helping me modify the code.
Consultor:
Judith Glaser
Thomas Ness
Lucy Norris
Sponsor:
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