INFO262 / NWMEDIA262

A considerable amount of research has been done in the domain of Tangible User Interfaces, a new approach to HCI which focuses on the physical interaction with computational media. However, it has been difficult to define what tangible user interfaces are, and come to a systematic understanding of possible approaches in designing and evaluating tangible user interfaces. This course will explore the theoretical framework of tangible user interfaces through a series of design examples to compare and contrast. Students will also design and develop experimental tangible user interfaces using physical computing prototyping tools.

The class meets 3 hours per week, 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm on Mondays and Wednesdays at 210 South Hall. An additional lab hour (Tuesdays 1-3pm) is provided for students to expand their basic lab exercises. On Mondays, there will be lectures and discussions based on our readings. On Wednesdays, we will do hands-on physical computing exercises with Arduino prototyping boards and various sensors and actuators. There are no prerequisites for the class. While no experience working with electronics is required, basic knowledge in and willingness to learn programming is assumed.

Instructors

Course Schedule

Textbook

Physical Computing: Sensing and Controlling the Physical World with Computers by Tom Igoe and Dan O'Sullivan (2004). The book is available at the campus book store or online at Amazon.

Link to the Physical Computing textbook on Oskicat

Course Requirements

Course Requirements

• Lab, 25%
• Homework, 25%
• Midterm Project, 10%
• Final Project, 30%
• Participation, 10%

Midterm Project

Design a Tangible User Interface that takes advantage of your hands and body to manipulate digital information. Apply it to a topic of your research interest (e.g., tool for communication, learning/education, design, etc.). Your project may be based on a completely new design or redesign of familiar everyday objects. 

• 9/26 Form a group (maximum of 3 members) for your project and write a 1-page proposal and post it on the course website
• 10/10 Progress sketches due (post your sketches on the course website)
• 10/21 & 10/28 In-class midterm project presentation. 
Present your idea and optional mockups

Final Project

You may expand your midterm project, or take a new approach. 
You may continue to work as a group (maximum of 5 members) or 
as an individual. If you work in a group, be clear about each member’s role in the project. 

• An interactive prototype to be exhibited at the final course exhibition on Dec 9th AND Dec 11th. Your prototype is to demonstrate your original idea for a Tangible User Interface to manipulate digital information, and
• A write-up due Dec 16th, 2013 in the ACM HCI Archive Format (4-6pgs) 
http://chi2013.acm.org/authors/format/

Course Lab Kit

The Wednesday curriculum, lab assignments, and homework are based on individual hands-on exercises with Arduino boards and electronic components. Therefore, it is necessary for each individual student to have his/her own lab kit. 

$75.00 Course kit includes the following and additional prototyping materials

You have an option of buying these parts yourself, or purchase the lab kit for $75.00 from us during the first week of class.