Visual piano

The visual piano is an exploration of physical interfaces and how they can provide extra layers of unexpected experience in a subtle way.

My prototype used texture in a keyboard made of fabric to invite users to explore the textures and as a result, create drawings in a digital canvas.

Concept

I am very interested in the concept of playful interaction, which sees users as “consumers of experiences” . While technology usually addresses users expecting them to use their cognitive skills,  this approach also considers  ¨”a person’s perceptual-motor and emotional skills”. (Funology : from usability to enjoyment, 2003)

This type of interaction seems to be better suited for immersing users in a new experience, through emotion rather than presenting rational information.

Process

I wanted to use fabric for my prototype to give it a custom made feeling as opposed to mass produced objects.

I used fabric, conductive thread and metallic beads to make fabric resistance sensors, following this tutorial. Then connected the sensors to a lilypad and wrote a script on processing that created  some basic animations and made them be triggered by the readings from sensors.