tangible_interactions

..that´s the name of my course and to get things started, here comes the task:

This course is closely linked to a research project called Touch, which looks at interfaces between mobile phones and physical objects through a technology called Radio Frequency Identification (RFID). Touch is funded by the Norwegian Research Council and is led by Timo Arnall at the institute of industrial design at AHO.

For more information on the touch project:

http://nearfield.org

The Tangible_interaction course is introduced with a broad perspective of how humans interact with everyday objects, the environment and network object by using all of our senses. Touch and tactility in physical interactions for new digital services and products is the focus of the course. A central element is therefore new physical interfaces and the connection to interaction design. The course gives the students the possibility to take part in the exploration of new social interaction patterns, to conceptulise and potentially co_design demonstrators in co_operation with the Touch research team.

The course starts with a series of weekly tasks. After the first 4-5 weeks students have to choose a Touch-related design brief and start researching the topic. The course is ambitious and requires hard individual work. There will be a mix of lectures, workshops, critiques and tutoring. Students will initially work in groups, but can choose to do their major task individually. In addition to this “hands-on” approach we have regular discussions to highlight and discuss issues within the field of Interaction Design. We expect students to work in teams this semester.