Course: Physical Interaction

Course: Physical Interaction

Course: Physical Interaction

Designing an Interactive Mesh

Designing an
Interactive Mesh

Designing an Interactive Mesh

Interaction Design & Physical Interaction

Interaction Design

"Create a shapeshifter"

Building a shapeshifter

For our course on Physical Interaction, we were briefed to build an interactive installation that would be able to change its shape. Though this course was not about solving a stereotypical 'user problem', we approached this project like we would have approached any other: through a structured process, which I'll share with you on this page.

For this project, we created a grid of interactive and interconnected elements that responds to nearby presence and touch in this project. Given its shape and appearance, my project mates and I decided to call it the 'Interactive-Mesh.'

For our course on Physical Interaction, we were briefed to build an interactive installation that would be able to change its shape. Though this course was not about solving a stereotypical 'user problem', we approached this project like we would have approached any other: through a structured process, which I'll share with you on this page.

For this project, we created a grid of interactive and interconnected elements that responds to nearby presence and touch in this project. Given its shape and appearance, my project mates and I decided to call it the 'Interactive-Mesh.'

For our course on Physical Interaction, we were briefed to build an interactive installation that would be able to change its shape. Though this course was not about solving a stereotypical 'user problem', we approached this project like we would have approached any other: through a structured process, which I'll share with you on this page.

For this project, we created a grid of interactive and interconnected elements that responds to nearby presence and touch in this project. Given its shape and appearance, my project mates and I decided to call it the 'Interactive-Mesh.'

For our course on Physical Interaction, we were briefed to build an interactive installation that would be able to change its shape. Though this course was not about solving a stereotypical 'user problem', we approached this project like we would have approached any other: through a structured process, which I'll share with you on this page.

For this project, we created a grid of interactive and interconnected elements that responds to nearby presence and touch in this project. Given its shape and appearance, my project mates and I decided to call it the 'Interactive-Mesh.'

Step 1:
getting inspired

Step 1: finding inspiration

Step 1:
finding inspiration

Step 1: getting inspired

Step 1: finding inspiration

Given that we didn't have users to study and learn what troubles they experience with a particular app, product or service, we had to find inspiration elsewhere. We decided to pay a visit to the museum of modern and contemporary in Stockholm (where I was studying at the time), where these architectural studies particularly inspired us in ideating what we could build.

First prototypes

First

prototypes

First
prototypes

First Prototypes

Once we had a basic idea of what we wanted to build, we created a simple prototype using tape and cardboard. We used it to explore what kind of installation we could make using this mesh-like structure. For example, we tried various configurations to figure out how it should be positioned (e.g., "should it be placed on a table, or should it hang from the ceiling?") and what interaction modalities we should support (e.g., "should it respond to touch, or sound?").

Initially, we were thinking about designing a device that could be wrapped around any surface and make it interactive.

During the testing, we realized that by hanging the artifact, we could create expressive movements as well.

Having tried out various configurations, we decided to proceed with the hanging configuration and that it should respond to presence and touch. Subsequently, we had to determine what type of sensors we should use for implementing these interactions.

We decided to use capacitive sensing for registering user input. The primary benefit of this type of technology was that we'd be able to hide from sight, unlike other sensors, as it can detect both presences and touch through a material. Additionally, these sensors can cover a relatively large surface area, making them ideal for this project. Finally, they are inexpensive: we could manufacture our own using a handful of resistors and few sheets of aluminum foil. The main drawback is that they are not very precise, however, this actually contributed to the installation.

After having experimented with various configurations, decided to proceed with the hanging configuration and that it should respond to presence and touch. Subsequently, we had to determine what type of sensors we should use for implementing these interactions.

We decided to use capacitive sensing for registering user input. The primary benefit of this type of technology was that we'd be able to hide from sight, unlike other sensors, as it can detect both presences and touch through a material. Additionally, these sensors can cover a relatively large surface area, making them ideal for this project. Finally, they are inexpensive: we could manufacture our own using a handful of resistors and few sheets of aluminum foil. The main drawback is that they are not very precise, however, this actually contributed to the installation.

Having tried multiple configurations, we decided to proceed with the hanging configuration and that it should respond to presence and touch. Subsequently, we had to determine what type of sensors we should use for implementing these interactions.

We decided to use capacitive sensing for registering user input. The primary benefit of this type of technology was that we'd be able to hide from sight, unlike other sensors, as it can detect both presences and touch through a material. Additionally, these sensors can cover a relatively large surface area, making them ideal for this project. Finally, they are inexpensive: we could manufacture our own using a handful of resistors and few sheets of aluminum foil. The main drawback is that they are not very precise, however, this actually contributed to the installation.

For our first iteration, we made a laser-cut triangular frame, in which we placed a LEDs on the inner side. This early-prototype was mainly used to play around with the light-based interactions.

With the purpose of measuring interaction, we decided to make use of capacitive sensing. In this experiment, the servo motor moves depending on the proximity of the hand to the capacitive sensor.

We then started with building a simple technical prototype to get us started: a single triangle equiped with all the required electronics which we connected to our cardboard prototype. We picked wood as a material for creating these triangles because it was cheap and allowed us to use a laser-cutter for scaling things up later on in the project. By making this prototype triangle and installing the required hardware inside it, we learned where and how to make optimizations in our design. Additionally, we started experimenting by using hardware boards to scale up our prototypes' ability to do capacitive measurements.

Besides movement-based interactions, we added LEDs inside of the triangles, which could make them change their colors. To diffuse the light emitted from the LEDs and make it appear evenly distributed, we placed white-acrylic was placed in front of the LEDs.

We then started with building a simple technical prototype to get us started: a single triangle equiped with all the required electronics which we connected to our cardboard prototype. We picked wood as a material for creating these triangles because it was cheap and allowed us to use a laser-cutter for scaling things up later on in the project. By making this prototype triangle and installing the required hardware inside it, we learned where and how to make optimizations in our design. Additionally, we started experimenting by using hardware boards to scale up our prototypes' ability to do capacitive measurements.

Besides movement-based interactions, we added LEDs inside of the triangles, which could make them change their colors. To diffuse the light emitted from the LEDs and make it appear evenly distributed, we placed white-acrylic was placed in front of the LEDs.

We then started with building a simple technical prototype to get us started: a single triangle equiped with all the required electronics which we connected to our cardboard prototype. We picked wood as a material for creating these triangles because it was cheap and allowed us to use a laser-cutter for scaling things up later on in the project. By making this prototype triangle and installing the required hardware inside it, we learned where and how to make optimizations in our design. Additionally, we started experimenting by using hardware boards to scale up our prototypes' ability to do capacitive measurements.

Besides movement-based interactions, we added LEDs inside of the triangles, which could make them change their colors. To diffuse the light emitted from the LEDs and make it appear evenly distributed, we placed white-acrylic was placed in front of the LEDs.

We then started with building a simple technical prototype to get us started: a single triangle equiped with all the required electronics which we connected to our cardboard prototype. We picked wood as a material for creating these triangles because it was cheap and allowed us to use a laser-cutter for scaling things up later on in the project. By making this prototype triangle and installing the required hardware inside it, we learned where and how to make optimizations in our design.
Additionally, we started experimenting by using hardware boards to scale up our prototypes' ability to do capacitive measurements.

Besides movement-based interactions, we added LEDs inside of the triangles, which could make them change their colors. To diffuse the light emitted from the LEDs and make it appear evenly distributed, we placed white-acrylic was placed in front of the LEDs.

To counter the drawbacks of having only one wooden-triangle, we added the cardboard prototype to experiment with the combination of movement and lights.

By properly configuring the hardware we selected for capacitive sensing, we were able to use them as both distance and touch sensors simultaneously.

Scaling up

Scaling Up

Once we were satisfied with our initial prototype, we were ready to scale up to the size of our initial cardboard prototype. This meant that we had to create up to 20 wooden triangles in total.

We made use of a laser-cutter to manufacture the triangles. This allowed us to quickly create parts we needed to finalize our project.

The design of the triangles was optimized so that they could be assembled by stacking individual parts together.

After we assembled all the triangles, we placed a textile sheet was placed behind them to keep them all connected. By using textile, we were able to maintain the same level of flexibility as our cardboard prototype, which used tape to connect the individual triangles.

Additionally, we created a mounting-piece from which we could hang the installation. On the platform, we installed the remaining hardware, such as an Arduino, the required break-out boards and a powerfull power supply.

After we assembled all the triangles, a textile sheet was placed behind them. By using textile, we recreated the same effects we observed previously by using tape in the cardboard prototype: the triangles would be able to change their angles to one another.

Additionally, we created a mounting-piece from which we could hang the installation. On the platform, we installed the remaining hardware, such as an Arduino, the required break-out boards and a strong power supply.

After we assembled all the triangles, we placed a textile sheet was placed behind them to keep them all connected. By using textile, we were able to maintain the same level of flexibility as our cardboard prototype, which used tape to connect the individual triangles.

Additionally, we created a mounting-piece from which we could hang the installation. On the platform, we installed the remaining hardware, such as an Arduino, the required break-out boards and a powerfull power supply.

After we assembled all the triangles, a textile sheet was placed behind them. By using textile, we recreated the same effects we observed previously by using tape in the cardboard prototype: the triangles would be able to change their angles to one another.

Additionally, we created a mounting-piece from which we could hang the device. On the platform, we installed the remaining hardware, such as an Arduino, the required break-out boards and a strong power supply.

The triangles were all interconnected through wires on their back-side. In total, we had to use up to 40 meters of wire for connecting them.

The slopes that we added manually on the sides of the triangles ensured that the triangles were able to bend both in- and outwards.

The mounting-piece without the triangles connected to it. You can see the hardware such as the Arduino, the break-out boards and the power supply on the right side.

The mounting-piece with all the triangles connected to it. Cable management was a serious undertaking during this project :-)

Implementing the interactions

Designing the interactions

After completing the setup and assembly, it was time to finalize the design by implementing the interactive features in code.

When somebody moves near the Mesh, the individual triangles will 'shy away' from the user if they would approach it very fast.

When somebody moves near the installation, the individual triangles will 'shy away' from the user if they would approach it very fast.

To make a triangle move and change its angle, the servomotor on its backside spins around pulls on the ropes connected to its neighboring triangles.

Our goal was to make the Interactive-Mesh appear as lively as possible. We made it appear as if the triangles became extremely active upon touch, but would become oversensitive over time.

Our goal was to make the installation appear as lively as possible. We made it appear as if the triangles became extremely active upon touch, but would become oversensitive over time.

In its neutral state - with no interaction - the triangles will exhibit a colorful gradient that slowly shifts across the individual triangles.

The sensitivity of the installation increases during the interaction. When the sensitivity is high, it responds to virtually everything. During periods of no interaction, this oversensitivity slowly decays back to normal levels.

In its active state - when the user gets close enough to a triangle - the triangle, and its neighbors will light up brightly. Additionally, the speed at which the gradient shifts across the Interactive-Mesh increases.

Other selected work

Tesla Key Fob
Product Development & Interaction Design

Tesla Key FobProduct Development & Interaction Design

Roly
Concept Design & Development

RolyConcept Design & Development