Conversation With the Immaterial Material of Software
Faculty
Designers creatively investigate many possible solution by engaging in reflective conversations with materials. For example, industrial designers sketch with pen on paper to explore possible product forms, and they play with plywood in the shop to understand the abilities of this material. Through this process of sketching and play, the material “talks back” to the designer, helping to reveal what might be. Interaction designers work primarily with the material of software, and the immaterial aspects of this technology make it difficult for designers to develop tacit knowledge about software they can leverage in their creative process. This project investigates the design of tools that help interaction designers better apply their creativity in the design of interactive systems.
Researchers
John Zimmerman, Brad Myers
Research Areas
Design Research