TEXTURE | TOUCH

Background

Exploration

Social Media

Mobile Hapticons

Textural Learning Tool

Speculation

Tactile Communication

Appendix

As dynamic materials emerge1, designers will be seeking out ideal applications for them. An interesting opportunity is applying these materials to communication devices. Based on what was learned from participants in the Textural Icons research, certain patterns or textures can be associated with certain emotions when touched. The ability to associate these textures may be a similar process to the way people associate certain words with actual objects or concepts.2 Using touch as the medium for communicating emotional tone is an appropriate application of the sense because of our innate association between the physically felt and the emotionally felt.3

"All your emotions, feelings, and your sense of individual selfhood stem from the interaction of these maps in your brain, the body in your brain, your embodied brain.4"

Research inspired the design of these three textures which correspond to certian emotions.

Research inspired the design of these three textures which correspond to certian emotions. These models were printed in 3D to form blank prototypes of mobile devices.

Applying the Research to 3D Textures

Research responses were used as the basis for three textures that were rendered in 3D. These textures were applied to a blank shape that represents a standard mobile device. These objects were then printed in 3D in order to be held and experienced in a tangible form. Three emotional values were represented: Irritation, Calmness, and Excitement. Applying one of these textures to a simple message has the effect of adding an emotional tone to the meaning.3 This is similar to how intonation can change the meaning of a spoken phrase or how an emoticon can add an element of feeling to a text message.

Dynamic Materials will Change Mobile Communication

Assuming an environment where materials can change shape1 and form based on data and electric charge allows for interesting speculation on how tangible objects can be a medium for communicating emotional meaning. Designing a phone with dynamic material on the back side allows for the use of Hapticons in mobile communication.5 The deep rooted connection between physical touch and emotional response is an ideal medium for Mobile Hapticons and presents an avenue for exploring the way dynamic materials can drastically change the way we currently interact with communication devices.

A blank mobile decive.

A texture that represents excitement.

A texture that represents calmness.

A texture that represents irritation.

1. Claytronics: highly scalable communications, sensing, and actuation networks, Aksak, et.al.
2. A Course in General Linguistics, Saussure
3. HIM Framework, Rovers and van Essen
4. The Body Has a Mind of Its Own, Blakeslee and Blakeslee
5. A Role for Haptics in Mobile Interaction: Initial Design Using a Handheld Tactile Display Prototype Luk et al.