Class

Lecture (LEC)

• Above class open to HCI Design Master's students only
• There is a required fee for enrollment in this class: Resource Fee - Luddy SICE Grad . Current rates are available at http://go.iu.edu/BLfees

NOTE 1: Non-HCI graduate students are welcome to take this course. NOTE 2: This course will largely take place in Luddy Makerspaces. Prototypes are a key tool for designers to explore problem spaces and generate ideas that inspire and focus future work. This course addresses the problem of designing for emerging digital systems using interfaces that extend beyond the common screen, keyboard, and mouse (pointer). During the semester, students will explore the wide range of materials and tools for physical interface design in a studio-based course housed alongside Luddy Makerspaces. In addition to developing a practice of hands-on building and construction, students will discuss literature on design theory, the philosophy, and ethics of systems design, and the practical tradeoffs of materials and tool use. Learning Goals 1. Physical Computing Literacy: Demonstrate proficiency in designing and implementing interactive systems using microcontrollers (Arduino/MicroBit), sensors, and actuators. 2. Iterative Design Process: Apply a structured prototyping methodology that includes needs assessment, concept generation, rapid prototyping, testing, and iterative refinement based on user feedback and technical constraints. 3. Material and Motion Exploration: Critically evaluate and select appropriate materials and movement mechanisms for physical prototypes based on functional requirements, experiential qualities, and sustainability considerations. 4. Emerging Technology Integration: Combine physical computing with emerging technologies (particularly LLMs) to create novel interaction contexts that thoughtfully address ethical implications and design tradeoffs. Project 1: Tangible Interfaces & Input Devices Prompt: Design and prototype a tangible interface that captures input from the physical world in unexpected ways. Your creation should translate analog human actions into digital signals that can be interpreted and responded to by a computer system. Materials & Technologies: - Arduino Uno or BBC Micro:Bit microcontroller - Sensors (flex, pressure, light, sound, proximity) - Conductive materials (thread, tape, paint) - Basic output components (LEDs, small speaker, servo motors) - Programming environment (Arduino IDE, MakeCode) - Basic fabrication tools (laser cutter, 3D printer) Critical Questions: 1. How does your interface challenge or extend traditional notions of what constitutes "input" for a computing system? 2. What affordances does your physical interface provide that a screen-based interface cannot? 3. How might your design address accessibility needs or preferences that are underserved by mainstream interfaces? Project 2: Motion, Scale & Material Exploration Prompt: Create an interactive object or environment that incorporates deliberate movement and experiments with either scale (unusually large or small) or unconventional materials. Your prototype should engage users through its kinetic properties and material qualities. Materials & Technologies: - Arduino Uno or BBC Micro:Bit microcontroller - Various motion components (DC motors, servo motors, stepper motors) - Unconventional materials (recycled objects, natural materials, flexible/rigid materials) - Motion sensors (accelerometers, gyroscopes) - Basic fabrication tools (laser cutter, 3D printer) Critical Questions: 1. How does the scale or material choice of your prototype affect the user's perception and interaction with it? 2. What qualities of movement (speed, rhythm, direction) most effectively communicate your design's purpose or emotional quality? 3. How do your material and scale choices reflect or challenge sustainability considerations in prototyping practices? Project 3: LLM-Enhanced Physical Computing Prompt: Develop a physical artifact that integrates large language model capabilities with tangible interaction or use LLM outputs in the design and as the theme. Your prototype should demonstrate how AI and physical computing can combine to create