7. Findings from Design Iterations
7.2. What Kind of Experiences can Rematerialization with Digital Data Provide?
information of the calendar and traffic information required by the user in Traffico).
7.2. What Kind of Experiences can Rematerialization with Digital Data Provide?
7.2.1. Increasing Intrigue by Changing Shape to Deliver Information (DayCube,
Traffico, Maili)
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In these cases, the product’s appearance change is adapted to deliver digital information (DayCube, Traffico) and simultaneously used to induce user behavior (Maili). In particular, existing studies mention that email notifications and its management are stressful. Maili use reveals that, on the contrary, it was enjoyable through exterior changes. In this regard, it supports that a physical product utilizing actuation can differentiate itself from digital notification in a smart device.
7.2.1.1. Premeditated Negativity for Inducing Positive Interaction (DayCube, Maili)
The change in appearance causes a negative feeling in the user and compels them to return it to its original shape.With DayCube, people wish to return the movement of the tree to the original square shape from the broken shape of the square. In Maili, users exhibited the desire to return the protruding node to the original flat shape. In other words, it is identified that it is possible to bring affirmative action and interests that can induce interaction by evoking some negative emotions in the user.
Unexpected Finding: Notification through Sound (DayCube, Maili)
One unexpected finding was that in Maili, users were engaged in the protruding sound and responded positively to the sound (the servo motor’s working sound) as the appearance changed. On the other hand, DayCube utilizes the movement of wood that was intentionally produced in a direction to give a soundless notification. As a result, participants sometimes did not notice the movement of wood. It gives the reasonable inference that adding a little sound (in the Traffico, the servo motor’s working mechanical sound) can play a significant role in the notification of information.
7.2.1.2. Designing Interaction following the Environment (DayCube, Traffico, Maili)
In previous research on applying physicality to dematerialized information (Van Campenhout et al., 2019), the appropriate contexts in which a device for materialized
interaction can be situated were explored. For a physical money payment terminal, the proper context was suggested as a stylish and expensive shop where the shopping experience is significant. The prototype of their study featured a time-consuming interaction compared to the commercial device. However, they suggested that interaction can maximize the value of the product and function following the environment.
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Maili was designed for use in offices. Participants showed their preference of finishing the use as quickly as possible in the office space. This is because of physical interaction consumes time, which can distract the user’s attention from work. In particular, users were uncomfortable with having to interact for a long time to set the e-mail reconfirmation time.
Contrarily, it was confirmed that participants proposed a positive reaction to the interaction that can be quickly confirmed, such as protruding and pressing a node. Similarly, in Traffico, participants who experimented in the office expressed the burden of interacting for a long time. Based on this point, for products used in offices, it is recommended to minimize the steps of interaction and develop fast input to increase usability. Furthermore, according to the user survey data of Maili, users presented that interactions with long usage time can be used in a space where much time can be spent, such as at home after work.
For maximizing the user’s experience with the interactive device, these findings indicate the need to consider the environment in which the product will be used during the design process. Notably, the device for the office environment, it is more efficient to design short time-consuming interactions. It may be that the usability factor is vital for the office environment.
7.2.3. Reviving the Analog with the Digital (DayCube, Traffico, Maili)
Understanding and applying the characteristics of non-digital physical elements are instrumental. Even though it is not a digital product, the analog elements that are continually being used bring positive values to people with their unique characteristics.
In detail, Maili added the value of the product by combining the non-digital tray utilized in the office environment. Traffico incorporated the advantages and characteristics of paper calendars in the digital interactive device. DayCube succeeded in delivering a positive tactile and visual sensation to users by introducing materials not frequently involved in electronic products. In these analog aspects, participants noted interest by utilizing analog materials which they did not regularly use or support in their environment. It also helped the prototype to be well-matched with the user’s environment.
In each case, this research adopted that 1) the method of combining the analog product itself that can increase access and usability in the environment where the product will be used as a part of the digital product, 2) identifying and applying the advantages of the analog product that has been used before the digital product was invented, and 3) applying analog features not used frequently in the electronic product. These findings can help to increase the value of interactive products through the analysis and reflection of analog elements.
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