Interaction What is it?
Interaction has never been a word that I personally questioned the definition of or what it means when something is interactive. Reading “The Art of Interactive Design” by Chris Crawford has inspired my definition of Interaction. I agree that interaction should be seen as a conversation. Instead of there being just one possible output, interaction is varying inputs that can create varying outputs…the puppet show is still interactive only it is interactive on a different level. Crawford says that there are different levels that interaction can be which I agree with.
A project that alines with my definition of interaction as:
At least two actors, an aninmal actor being one, engaging each other with many different inputs and outputs causing both being interdependent of each other.
The Cruise Control for Pedestrians is an interactive project where a small electrical stimulator on your leg suggests to the person using it a particular pace or route. The two actors would be the person and the electrical stimulator. The person’s pace and where they need to be are have varied input that the electrical stimulator picks up with this information the stimulator can suggest to you multiple types of paces and directions. This, although, there is no verbal communication between you and the electrical stimulator there is still a conversation about how fast or slow you are should be going and to move out of the was if there is something in your way.
A project that did not align with my definition was the EM table. The EM table is basically a table that lights up a fluorescent tube through its own localized electromagnetic field. This type of interaction does not align with my definition of interaction because there is no conversation. The fluorescent tube is placed by the table and the electromagnetic field lights it up that is it. There are not multiple possible inputs or outputs it is expected that when fluorescent lights are placed on or near the table they light up. My understanding of the interaction between the light and the table is not strong enough to be able to define it as purely interactive. I must have decided that for something to be purely interactive there has to be a human or animal (plants/fungi too) as at least one of the two actors.
Our project was the ClosetPod where the two actors were you, the owner, and the ClosetPod. The design of the object was inspired by not only the AirPod but also sustainable fashion. The idea was that the clothes could change depending on if it was cold, rainy, or hot. Thus, the ClosetPod would be the only type of clothing needed. There are also options for designing or purchasing clothing style templates to be downloaded on the existing material. First off the customizable option allows there to be many inputs, but also the speed of weather change already, imagine 100 years from now, creates many variable inputs on the jacket. A shirt then being able to respond in many ways by either growing a hood or sleaves. Interaction is more than one action happens one and a result is the end. Interaction is the involvement engages a person mind with mediums such as technology.
Website used:
https://gizmodo.com/12-fascinating-projects-from-the-bleeding-edge-of-inter-1700656949